BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of the office space owned or leased by his Department is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Jennifer Willott: The information requested is commercially sensitive and any disclosure would adversely affect HMG's future ability to negotiate efficiencies and achieve value for money to the taxpayer.
	There is no system for classifying frequency of use of office space. Holdings are assessed as either being required to deliver departmental functions (forming the core estate) or surplus to this requirement (non-core).
	The global office running cost figure for the central civil estate is in the region of £1.8 billion per annum. The Government's top priority for surplus holdings is to reduce property costs by exiting leasehold agreements, selling freeholds or by sub-letting to external tenants.
	The Government Property Unit has created a portal—Find Me Some Government Space1—for more efficient marketing of surplus land and buildings. This is searchable by developers, community groups and the general public.
	1 Available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/find-government-property

Overseas Students: Loans

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many non-UK EU students studying at private universities used the Student Loan Company in the last year for which data is available.

David Willetts: holding answer 11 February 2014
	The Student Loans Company (SLC) publishes statistics on student support expenditure in its annual publication ‘Student Support for Higher Education in England’. Statistics are disaggregated in this publication by domicile (England or EU), provider type (Public or Alternative) and student support type (Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Loan, Grants). The latest available statistics were published on 28 November 2013 at the following link:
	http://www.slc.co.uk/statistics/national-statistics/newnationalstatistics1.aspx
	In the 2012-3 academic year tuition fee loans were paid to 33,900 students1 at English higher education providers who were domiciled in EU countries (outside of the UK) prior to their course, including 665 students at Alternative Providers.
	1 Published statistics refer to expenditure up to and including 31 August 2013. Start dates at Alternative Providers of higher education are less typical than other institutions hence further payments may occur after 31 August which is the end of the standard academic year.

Students: Loans

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students in each private university (a) have access to the student loan system, (b) are studying HNCs and HNDs and (c) are non-UK EU students using the Student Loan Company.

David Willetts: holding answer 11 February 2014
	While we do not estimate the number of students eligible for student support at individual Alternative Providers of Higher Education, or the numbers studying specifically for HNCs and HNDs, we do publish information on the number of students at Alternative Providers who are accessing Student Loans.
	Statistics on students who have been awarded and paid student support are published by the Student Loans Company (SLC) in its annual publication 'Student Support for Higher Education in England'. The latest available statistics were published on 28th November 2013 at the following link:
	http://www.slc.co.uk/statistics/national-statistics/newnationalstatistics1.aspx
	Additional tables were issued on 28 January 2014 which included a breakdown of expenditure on Tuition Fee Loans, Maintenance Loans and Combined Grants by Higher Education provider1. These statistics included the number of EU (non-UK) domiciled students accessing Tuition Fee Loans and can also be found at the link provided above.
	Information on the qualification aims of students receiving financial support is not routinely published as it is not recorded in a standard format. However, estimates of the number of full-time students in receipt of student support and undertaking Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are provided in the table.
	1 If the number of students receiving student support is 50 or less then the Provider is not identified separately in the statistics.
	
		
			 Students paid tuition fee loans with HND and HNC qualification aims, England domiciled students in the UK and EU (non-UK) students in England, Alternative Providers of Higher Education, academic year 2012/13 
			 Provider name Number of students paid tuition fee loans 
			 St Patrick's International College 4,140 
			 London School of Business and Finance 1,345 
			 London School of Science and Technology 1,200 
			 Icon College of Technology and Management 1,075 
			 Essex International College 1,035 
			 ICE Academy 845 
			 Mont Rose College of Management and Sciences 645 
			 RTC Education Ltd T/A Regent College 580 
			 Nelson College London 580 
			 Williams College 505 
		
	
	
		
			 The London College, UCK 425 
			 London School of Business and Management 365 
			 UK College of Business and Computing Ltd 330 
			 London Churchill College 310 
			 Fairfield School of Business 185 
			 West London College of Business and Management Sciences 185 
			 ABI College 60 
			 Other Providers (50 or Fewer Students) 105 
			 Total 13,905 
			 Note: These statistics refer to expenditure up to 31 August 2013 of the 2012/13 academic year. Start dates at Alternative Providers of Higher Education are less typical than other institutions hence further payments may occur after 31 August, which is the end of the standard academic year. Source: Student Loans Company

WALES

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the office space owned or leased by his Department is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Stephen Crabb: All space in the Wales Office's London and Cardiff Offices is in regular use. The London Office is owned by the Department, and we lease accommodation in Cardiff. The Valuation Office Agency undertook a valuation of the London office (land and buildings) on 31 March 2013, and valued it at £3,800,000.

Buildings

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the (a) name, (b) location, (c) floor space, (d) tenure status and (e) value is of properties (i) owned and (ii) occupied by his Department.

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office occupies two offices, one in London and one in Cardiff. The London Office is called Gwydyr House and is located in Whitehall. It is owned by the Department and has a floor space of 675 square metres. The value of the London Office is disclosed in the 2012-13 Wales Office annual report and accounts.
	In Cardiff, we lease part of Caspian Point, a privately owned building in Cardiff Bay. We pay rent of £89,958 per annum for 524 square metres.

Pay

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants are on each pay grade in his Department.

Stephen Crabb: The number of staff in each civil service pay grade as at 31 January 2014 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Pay grade Number of civil servants 
			 SCS 4 
			 Grade 6 7 
			 Grade 7 4 
			 Senior Executive Officer 6 
			 Higher Executive Officer 13 
			 Executive Officer 4 
			 Administrative Officer 4 
			 Administrative Assistant 0

Staff

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of staff of his Department work outside of London; and in which local authorities such staff are located.

Stephen Crabb: 43% of Wales Office staff are based in Caspian Point in Cardiff.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Ascension Island

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which vessels purchased commercial fishery licences for the waters off Ascension Island in 2013.

Mark Simmonds: 39 licences were issued in 2013:
	
		
			 Vessel Registered country 
			 Hung Ching No. 212 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Yuh Yeou No. 236 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Long Chang No. 3 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Kao Hsin No.3 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Yuh Yeou No. 31 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Yuh Yeou No. 66 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Chien Chyang Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Shun Yu Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Iman Hung No. 166 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Tai Fa No. 3 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Hong Chin Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Hong Sheng Taiwan, RO.C. 
			 Kao Fong No. 8 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Feng Ya No. 11 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Toko Maru No.8 Japan 
			 Toko Maru No. 88 Japan 
			 Shinryu Maru No.11 Japan 
			 Shinryu Maru No. l Japan 
			 Senfuku Maru No. 66 Japan 
			 Chun Fa Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Torng Tay No. 3 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Chin Shun Kuo Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Chin Chang Ming Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Chin Hsiang Ming Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Chin Cheng Wen Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Chin Yuan Ming Taiwan, R.O.C. 
		
	
	
		
			 Fu Yuan Yu 559 China 
			 Yih Shuen No. 212 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Kaishin Maru No. 18 Japan 
			 Taiho Maru No. 35 Japan 
			 Toyo Maru No. 28 Japan 
			 Taiho Maru No. 8 Japan 
			 Kuang Li Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Hau Shen No. 236 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Kao Fong No. 1 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Jetmark No. 8 Philippines 
			 Hung Yao No. 2 Taiwan, R.O.C. 
			 Hsin Cheng Fa No. 16 Taiwan, RO.C. 
			 Wei Ching Taiwan, R.O.C.

Ascension Island

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many fish of each species were caught in Ascension Island's commercial fishery in 2013.

Mark Simmonds: Fisheries management is a devolved issue and as such is the responsibility of the Ascension Island Government. The following catch figures for 2013 are in metric tonnes.
	
		
			  Metric tonne 
			 Yellow Fin Tuna 75.616 
			 Bigeye Tuna 1503.539 
			 Albacore Tuna 37.791 
			 Swordfish 218.196 
			 Striped Marlin 2.09 
			 Black Marlin 5.88 
			 Sailfish 35.143 
			 Blue Marlin 22.581 
			 Other 121.222

Ascension Island

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place a copy of the accounts of the Ascension Island government for financial years (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 in the Library.

Mark Simmonds: A copy of the Ascension Island Government accounts for each of the financial years 2010-11,2011-12 and 2012-13 will be placed in the Library.

Burma

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of rape, sexual violence and murder of rape victims by members of the military in Burma; and what assessment he has made of whether such crimes amount to a crime against humanity.

Hugo Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received a number of reports containing allegations of rape, sexual violence and murder of rape victims by the Burmese Army, including from the non-governmental organisation (NGO) community and Burmese ethnic groups.
	I recently raised the issue of sexual violence with senior Ministers, the Commander in Chief and the Northern Commander during my visit to Burma in January. We continue to make clear that where serious crimes have been committed those who have perpetrated them should be held accountable for their actions.
	A full independent investigation would be required to make an assessment as to whether crimes against humanity have been committed.

Cambodia

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings HM Ambassador to Cambodia has had with family members of Cambodian political prisoners who remain in jail.

Hugo Swire: HM ambassador to Cambodia has had no recent meetings with family members of anyone currently in prison in Cambodia. However, embassy staff are in regular contact with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and advocates campaigning on judicial reform issues. This includes the case of 21 people who remain detained following demonstrations in Phnom Penh on 2-3 January for whom we have concerns about the terms of their detention and fair trial rights. During my recent visit to Cambodia on 30-31 January, I raised our concerns about the disproportionate force used by the Cambodian security forces to disperse protests in Phnom Penh on 2-3 January, directly with the Cambodian Government and pressed the Government to address allegations of human rights abuses.

Cambodia

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has had with Cambodian political and civil society leaders since May 2010.

Hugo Swire: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not visited Cambodia nor held formal meetings with his Cambodian counterparts since May 2010. With regard to other Ministers, the then Secretary of State for Wales met Prime Minister Hun Sen and leaders of Cambodia's most prominent Human Rights groups in May 2012. I visited Cambodia on 30-31 January 2014 and met the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister and one of the two co-leaders of the main opposition party.

Cambodia

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his Cambodian counterpart on (a) land grabs, (b) human rights, (c) free and fair elections and (d) freedom of expression in that country.

Hugo Swire: I visited Cambodia on 30-31 January. While there I met the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodian Foreign Minister, Hor Namhong. I raised our concerns about the disproportionate force used by the Cambodian security forces to disperse protests in Phnom Penh on 2-3 January and pressed the Government to address allegations of human rights abuses. I encouraged dialogue between the Government and opposition to resolve the current political impasse and stressed the importance of democratic freedoms and stability for Cambodia's long-term future. These issues, including land concessions, were also raised by the UK at the recent UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of Cambodia.

Cambodia

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Cambodia.

Hugo Swire: As set out at the recent UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of Cambodia, we remain concerned about recent events in Cambodia, including restrictions on peaceful political protest and freedom of expression. I raised these concerns with Prime Minister Hun Sen on my visit in January. We continue to urge the Government and opposition to engage in substantive dialogue to deliver long-term political and judicial reforms that strengthen the democratic process. We remain concerned about the lack of an independent and impartial judiciary, corruption and weaknesses in the legal and judicial system. We urge Cambodia to implement the Special Rapporteur's recommendations on electoral reform and to undertake an urgent review of economic land concessions before the current moratorium on them is lifted.

Cambodia

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK took (a) unilaterally and (b) through the EU prior to elections in Cambodia in July 2013 to ensure they were free and fair.

Hugo Swire: The focus of the UK's effort since the 2008 elections has been to press for the recommendations of the EU Election Observation report to be fully implemented. With regard to the July 2013 elections:
	(a) Bilaterally, our embassy in Phnom Penh worked with local partners on two election-related projects, providing £100,000 in funding to promote election observation and voter awareness/education;
	(b) Through the EU we worked to lobby the Cambodian National Election Committee, the Interior Ministry, and the Council of Ministers. We focused on the campaign environment, as well as ongoing inequitable media access and the misuse of state resources. An EU statement was issued in Phnom Penh on 26 June which raised these issues and urged all sides to refrain from using threatening and inflammatory rhetoric.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parliament: Access

Greg Knight: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reason the entrance and exit gates at Carriage Gates were closed to traffic, including hon. Members, on 13 January 2014; what steps he is taking to prevent such closures taking place again during periods when the House of Commons is sitting; and if he will make a statement.

John Thurso: The closure of the Carriage Gates on 13 January 2014 appears to have been the result of an operator error which resulted in security measures being triggered. The contractor responsible has made changes to the controls and has been asked to provide further training for staff who operate the equipment to avoid this happening again.

TREASURY

European Investment Bank

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution the UK makes to the funds of the European Investment Bank.

Sajid Javid: This information can be found at:
	www.eib.org/infocentre/publications/all/financial-report-2012.htm

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Ian Austin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the average price of a bottle of (a) spirits and (b) wine is comprised of tax; and if he will make a statement.

Nicky Morgan: HMRC’s ‘Alcohol Factsheet October 2013’ provides a range of data on alcohol, including the proportion of the average price of a drink that comprises of tax. This can be found here:
	https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/TaxAndDutyBulletins.aspx

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Ian Austin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the conclusions he has given to Ernst and Young's economic impact assessment of the wine and spirit industry in the UK; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect that removing the alcohol duty escalator would have on levels of alcohol fraud in 2014; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that would be created as a result of the alcohol duty escalator in 2014; and if he will make a statement.

Nicky Morgan: HM Treasury keeps all taxes, including alcohol duties, under review. HM Treasury are considering the Ernst and Young report alongside all other Budget representations.
	The Government has taken recent action that will help the alcohol industry. A major business rates package was announced at autumn statement 2013 that will help ease the tax burden on business. The Government will also abolish employer national insurance contributions for under-21s earning below £813 per week from April 2015.

Freedom of Information

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average length of time taken by his Department is to answer a freedom of information request.

Nicky Morgan: In 2013, the average time elapsed for freedom of information requests answered by HM Treasury was 17 working days. The Freedom of Information Act requires public authorities to reply within 20 working days.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people who will become higher rate taxpayers between 2010-11 and 2014-15 as a result of changes to income tax rate thresholds.

David Gauke: The estimate of the number of taxpayers liable at the higher rate of tax is published in the HMRC National Statistics publications at table 2.1 which is available from the following address:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-statistics/table2-1.pdf
	These estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) outturn data up to 2011-12, and then projected to 2013-14 in line with the Office for Budget Responsibility's December 2013 economic and fiscal outlook.
	The estimate for the year 2014-15 is not currently available but is due to be published in April 2014.

Mining: Colombia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reports he has received on whether the Colombian mining industry, including companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, is contracting army units for private security purposes in Colombia.

Hugo Swire: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
	We are not aware of any reports of Colombian companies contracting army units for private security purposes.

National Insurance Contributions: New Businesses

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many firms benefited from the regional employer national insurance contributions holiday in each region.

David Gauke: The NICs holiday attracted around 26,700 applicants over a three year period. The latest publically available regional statistics on the scheme are available on a factsheet at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/nics-hol.htm

Revenue and Customs

Ian Lavery: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much HM Revenue and Customs paid to private debt collection agencies in 2012-13;
	(2)  how many private debt collection agencies are currently used by HM Revenue and Customs' Debt Management and Banking unit;
	(3)  how much revenue was collected by private debt collection agencies on behalf of HM Revenue and Customs' Debt Management and Banking unit in the last year for which data is available.

David Gauke: Following ministerial agreement under the previous Government HMRC ran a pilot on the use of debt collection agencies in 2009-10.
	In the 2010 emergency budget, we set out that the Government would collect an additional £140 million in tax revenue from existing debts through debt collection agencies.
	A total of 12 private sector debt collection agencies are currently being used by HM Revenue and Customs' Debt Management and Banking unit.
	The agencies are paid on commission but rates are commercially confidential.

Revenue and Customs

Andrew Percy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average holding time was for telephone calls made to HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) customer service helpline in each of the last 12 months; what the longest such holding time was; and how many complaints on telephone holding times for the helpline have been made to HMRC in that period.

David Gauke: The Government publishes monthly performance figures for queue times from 2011-12 onwards are available at the following link:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-plan-indicators
	HMRC does not hold the data for complaints in the format requested, and it would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Revenue and Customs

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average duration of single periods of sick leave taken by staff in each HM Revenue and Customs business stream was in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: In every business stream the average duration of single periods of sickness absence has fallen. The overall fall from 6.86 to 5.77 is a drop of 15.89%
	Comparable data are not available for the earliest two years. The average duration in days of single periods of sickness absence taken by staff in each HM Revenue and Customs business stream in each of the last three years was:
	
		
			  Year ended 31 March each year 
			  2011 2012 2013 
			 Benefits and Credits 8.78 7.73 7.71 
			 Business Tax 5.77 5.23 4.78 
			 Corporate Services 5.92 5.82 5.21 
			 Enforcement and Compliance 6.47 5.93 5.38 
			 Personal Tax 7.34 6.07 5.75 
			 Overall 6.86 6.16 5.77

Revenue and Customs

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff have left each HM Revenue and Customs business stream in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: The number of people leaving HMRC has dropped by almost a half. The following numbers of staff have left HMRC in each of the last five years:
	
		
			  Year ended 31 March each year 
			  2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
			 Benefits and Credits 610 250 227 186 371 
			 Business Tax 187 235 168 201 227 
			 Corporate Services 574 806 484 518 544 
			 Enforcement and Compliance 2,530 6,964 1,447 1,106 1,338 
			 Personal Tax 4,236 4,559 2,782 2,090 2,319 
			 HMRC total 8,137 12,814 5,108 4,101 4,799

Revenue and Customs

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days were lost due to staff sickness in each HM Revenue and Customs business stream in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: The Department has been working to reduce the amount of days lost due to sickness absence. Between 2009 and 2013 the number has fallen by 45.65%
	
		
			  Total days lost 
			 2013 532,736 
			 2012 579,197 
			 2011 760,438 
			 2010 832,459 
			 2009 980,268 
		
	
	A breakdown by business stream is available as follows:
	
		
			 Year ended 31 December 2013 
			  Working days lost 
			 Benefits and Credits 41,801 
			 Business Tax 22,775 
			 Corporate Services 34,647 
			 Enforcement and Compliance 204,043 
			 Personal Tax 229,470 
		
	
	
		
			 Year ended 31 December 2012 
			  Working days lost 
			 Benefits and Credits 43,173 
			 Business Tax 26,952 
			 Corporate Services 42,705 
			 Enforcement and Compliance 214,333 
			 Personal Tax 252,034 
		
	
	
		
			 Year ended 31 December 2011 
			  Working days lost 
			 Benefits and Credits 62,865 
			 Business Tax 36,142 
			 Corporate Services 54,505 
			 Enforcement and Compliance 270,470 
			 Personal Tax 336,371 
			 Unknown—Grouping Not Found 85 
		
	
	
		
			 Year ended 31 December 2010 
			  Working days lost 
			 Benefits and Credits 70,364 
			 Business Tax 32,401 
			 Corporate Services 56,873 
			 Enforcement and Compliance 257,977 
			 Personal Tax 352,090 
		
	
	
		
			 Unknown—Grouping Not Found 62,754 
		
	
	
		
			 Year ended 31 December 2009 
			  Working days lost 
			 Benefits and Credits 93,078 
			 Business Tax 34,893 
			 Corporate Services 64,532 
			 Enforcement and Compliance 281,432 
			 Personal Tax 434,170 
			 Unknown—Grouping Not Found 72,163

Tax Allowances: Married People

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the assessment by the Office of Tax Simplification of his proposals for a transferable tax allowance.

David Gauke: The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has not made an assessment of the proposals for a transferable tax allowance.
	This policy will be delivered in the simplest, most user-friendly way possible as part of the Government's commitment to user-friendly digital services. The Government has also provided more than £200 million over the next three years as part of HMRC's digital strategy to make paying tax easier for ordinary people.
	The OTS is currently focusing on a project to improve the competitiveness of the UK tax administration.

Tax Allowances: Married People

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many staff HM Revenue and Customs expects to dedicate to administering the transferable tax allowance (a) in its first year of operation and (b) each year thereafter;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to HM Revenue and Customs of administering the transferable tax allowance in (a) its first year of operation and (b) each year thereafter.

David Gauke: The detail of how this policy will be administered by HMRC is being developed. HMRC will ensure that the process will be simple for customers.

VAT

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the net effect in (a) cash terms and (b) as a proportion of the average annual income of the 2.5 per cent increase in the standard rate of value added tax on (i) pensioner couples, (ii) single pensioners, (iii) couples with children and (iv) single parents with children;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of how much more VAT a couple with two children and earning £20,000 a year have paid in (a) cash terms and (b) as a proportion of their household income as a result of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax to 20 per cent.

David Gauke: The Government publishes distributional analysis and this information is available in the autumn statement documentation.

HOME DEPARTMENT

British Nationality

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will list all the people who have been deprived of British citizenship since 2010.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 10 February 2014
	For reasons of confidentiality, the Secretary of State does not routinely comment on individual cases.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2014, Official Report, column 185W, on human trafficking, what data is collected in the Case Information Database; how such information is collated and reviewed; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: The Case Information Database holds relevant personal data and case information on individuals who have made an immigration application.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many identified victims of human trafficking did not participate in criminal proceedings in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012.

Karen Bradley: The requested information cannot be obtained as it is not collected or held centrally.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2014, Official Report, column 233W, on human trafficking, who will undertake the review of the National Referral Mechanism; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: An announcement on the review of the National Referral Mechanism will be made shortly.

Human Trafficking: Convictions

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people were convicted of human trafficking offences in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what estimate her Department has made of the number of people trafficked into the UK in each of the last five years;
	(3)  what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of those trafficked into the UK for the purposes of (a) domestic servitude, (b) forced labour and (c) prostitution.

Karen Bradley: All of the data requested is contained in the Home Office Inter-Ministerial Group report, 'Human trafficking: inter-departmental ministerial group report, 2013'. The report can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251487/9794-TSO-HMG_Human_Trafficking.pdf

Police: Recruitment

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of how representative each police service is of its community.

Damian Green: Diversity in policing as part of a modern, diverse society is absolutely essential as forces continue to cut crime. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are responsible for the totality of policing in their areas, including ensuring that community needs are met, and that forces secure the trust and confidence of the public.
	Figures for police officers in post on 31 March 2013, broken down by gender and ethnicity, are published in the 'Police Workforce, England and Wales, 31 March 2013' statistical bulletin, which can be accessed using the following link, I am also placing a copy of this report in the House Library:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2013
	PCCs and police forces should use this data to assess how representative the police workforce is of their local communities, and, where necessary and with the support of the College of Policing, take steps to make improvements. For example, the College of Policing has embarked on a major programme looking at recruitment, retention and progression of black and minority ethnic officers.

TRANSPORT

Aviation: South East

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects of additional airport capacity in the South East of England on the economies of other regions of the UK.

Robert Goodwill: The Government has established the independent Airports Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, to examine the scale and timing of any requirements for additional capacity to maintain the UK's position as Europe's most important aviation hub.
	As part of its interim report the Airports Commission identified the economic impacts associated with constrained airport capacity—this was undertaken at a national level. As part of the Commission's second phase of work it will look at the impacts of the short-listed schemes on the economy in more detail, including at a local and national level. This assessment will consider the needs of other regions in the UK, outside the South East of England.

British Transport Police

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that the British Transport Police adhere to the College of Policy standards.

Stephen Hammond: I understand from my hon. Friend's office that his question refers to the College of Policing. The British Transport Police (BTP) supports the College of Policing in its objective to become the professional body for the police service. The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA)—the BTP's governing body—has played an active part in the development of the role and status of the college in the new policing landscape. During this period of transition, both the BTP and the BTPA have closely followed the new professional guidance published by college and have made progress in implementing new standards.

Parking

Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he made of the recent survey by the charity, Guide Dogs, on the number of blind and partially-sighted people who report that cars parked on pavements frequently cause problems for them.

Robert Goodwill: The survey reports that over half of the drivers surveyed who park on pavements have considered the problems this could cause blind and partially sighted people and have still parked on the pavement, and that many do not appear to consider the negative impact that pavement parking can have.
	Local authorities have the powers they need to permit or prohibit pavement parking and to enforce restrictions. It is their role to balance the needs of all users of the public highway and I would encourage them to address this issue where it is a particular problem.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the office space owned or leased by her Department is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if she will place in the Library a copy of her most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Theresa Villiers: All office space owned or leased by my Department is in regular use and has not been subject to a real estate valuation.

Business: Loans

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had with banks in Northern Ireland on the level of business lending.

Theresa Villiers: I regularly hold discussions with different businesses and business organisations, including banks, on a range of economic issues such as access to finance.

Economic Growth

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the effect of the 2013 Autumn Statement on the prospect for economic growth in the Northern Ireland economy.

Theresa Villiers: In the 2013 autumn statement, the OBR increased their growth forecasts for the UK economy to 2.4% for next year. The autumn statement also announced a number of measures which will support economic growth across the UK including Northern Ireland.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2014, Official Report, columns 189-90W, on electoral register: Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime Minister and Electoral Commission on transferring the best practice in Northern Ireland on registration of attainers to the UK.

Theresa Villiers: The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland has had a number of meetings with Cabinet Office officials and the Electoral Commission about lessons learned in implementing individual electoral registration in Northern Ireland.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2014, Official Report, columns 189-90W, on electoral register: Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of registration levels for attainers in the year prior to the introduction of individual electoral registration, the years after the introduction of individual electoral registration and the most recent date for which data is available.

Theresa Villiers: The number of attainers registered was as follows:
	December 2000: 16,984
	December 2001: 17,894
	December 2002: 8,888
	February 2004: 5,953
	December 2012: 11,477
	December 2013: 9,945.
	The December 2013 figure includes all those registered during the 2013 canvass, but not through schools visits in the academic year 2013-14, which were delayed due to canvass activity.
	There was significant concern about the level of electoral fraud in Northern Ireland prior to the introduction of individual registration. Registration statistics relating to the period immediately prior to the introduction of individual registration in Northern Ireland may therefore be less reliable than those in subsequent years.

Foreign Investment in UK

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what most recent assessment is of the outcome of the 2013 Investment Conference.

Theresa Villiers: Responsibility for the follow-up from the Investment Conference is being taken forward by Invest NI which reports to the Northern Ireland Executive Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
	I understand that follow-up from the Conference has been positive with Invest NI hopeful that it will lead to a number of investments from companies already established in Northern Ireland and new investors. Experience from previous Investment Conferences show that it can take up to two or three years from first contact to the signing of contracts in respect of new investments.
	I am very pleased about recent announcements such as Fujitsu's intention to create 192 new jobs in Londonderry, BT's announcement that it is to create 165 jobs at a new BT Flex customer contact centre in Belfast and Ryobi's recent confirmation of its £32 million investment in its Carrickfergus plant creating 100 new jobs. Hosting the G8 Summit and the International Investment Conference has greatly reinforced Northern Ireland's deserved reputation as an excellent location for overseas investors and a good place to do business, and the recent announcements are testimony to that.

Foreign Investment in UK

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions she has had with UK Trade & Investment since the 2013 Investment Conference on following-up opportunities for investment and trade into Northern Ireland.

Theresa Villiers: UKTI promotes trade and investment across the UK and works closely with Invest NI in respect of opportunities of specific interest to Northern Ireland. Both organisations worked closely together to deliver a very successful investment conference in October 2013. I have yet to meet Crispin Simon, the newly appointed acting head of UKTI, but hope to meet either him or the new permanent head of UKTI, when appointed, at some point in the future. My Department engages with UKTI at all levels.
	I continue to work closely with Arlene Foster MLA, the Northern Ireland Executive Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in respect of promoting trade and investment to Northern Ireland. Last year we jointly held the Northern Ireland investment seminar at Lancaster House for selected high commissions and embassies. We are currently issuing joint invitations to those high commissioners and ambassadors to lead trade delegations to Northern Ireland during the course of 2014.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the dates and duration were of each meeting she has held with the Chief Constable of Northern Ireland since 1 January 2014.

Theresa Villiers: I am in regular contact with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland both in person and by telephone.

Richard Haass

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the dates and duration were of each conversation she had with Dr Richard Haass between 25 December 2013 and 1 January 2014.

Theresa Villiers: I have met and spoken to Dr Haass regularly since his appointment. Between 25 December 2013 and 1 January 2014, I spoke to him at length on two occasions. In addition, my officials were in regular touch with Dr Haass and his team.

Tourism: VAT

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the effect of the level of VAT on the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Theresa Villiers: I regularly hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive and Treasury Ministers on a wide range of issues. Measures to provide a boost to tourism in Northern Ireland were included in the economic pact, Building a Prosperous and United Community, which was agreed between HM Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Equality: Public Appointments

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of whether the recruitment process for non executive directors of Government departments meets equality and diversity guidance used in the wider Civil Service.

Francis Maude: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
	The protocol governing enhanced departmental boards in Whitehall is contained in “corporate governance in central government departments: code of good practice 2011”, which requires Departments to pay due attention to diversity.
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/220645/corporate_governance_good_practice_july2011.pdf

Pupils: Bullying

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what organisations have applied to conduct an evidence review into tackling homophobic bullying in schools.

Jennifer Willott: The tender process for the evidence review into what works in preventing and tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying has not yet concluded and, as all bids are commercially confidential, I am unable to name the bidders.

EDUCATION

Free Schools

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from any local authorities with a projected school place shortage that will not be met by free school provision.

David Laws: The Department for Education recently announced an additional £2.35 billion in basic need funding, to support local authorities to create the additional places that will be needed by September 2017, in addition to the £5 billion already committed for the period 2011-15.
	The Department has received representations from a number of local authorities, seeking more information about the methodology used to allocate funding. The Department allocates funding for new school places based on information provided by local authorities through an annual survey of the current capacity of schools in the area, and forecasts of future pupil numbers.

GCSE

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children in England in 2012-13 failed to get a GCSE grade A*-C in both English and mathematics.

David Laws: The requested information is published in the “GCSE and equivalent results in England, 2012 to 2013 (revised)1” statistical first release. It is available in table 2 in the “National tables: SFR01/2014” document.
	40.1% of pupils at the end of key stage 4 did not achieve English and mathematics GCSEs at grade A*-C in 2012/13 academic year compared with 46.0% in 2009/10.
	1Available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised

Schools: Admissions

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from local authorities about overprovision of school places in areas where a free school or schools are (a) established or (b) proposed.

David Laws: Under Section 9 of the Academies Act 2010, the Department for Education writes to local authorities where a free school is being proposed to seek their views on the impact that establishing the school would likely have on existing schools and colleges.
	Any representations from local authorities are considered by the Secretary of State for Education, the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), before he decides to enter into a funding agreement with the relevant academy trust.

Schools: Fire Extinguishers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools were built (a) with and (b) without fire sprinklers in each of the last 10 years.

David Laws: The information requested is not held centrally.

Teachers: Training

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect of his Department's withdrawal of bursaries for trainee religious education teachers on the level of recruitment of religious education teachers; and if he will make a statement.

David Laws: Bursaries are designed to attract applicants to initial teacher training (ITT) to ensure that we have enough teachers capable of teaching religious education (RE) by the time they qualify. When bursary decisions for 2014/15 were taken in October 2013, we did not have the enrolment data for 2013/14.
	While there was a shortfall in recruitment to RE this year, there was significant over-recruitment in previous years, which will give protection against any under-recruitment.
	We will continue to monitor RE recruitment closely this year.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Curzon Institute

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2013, Official Report, column 157W, on the Curzon Institute, if he will publish the minutes of meetings between his Department and the Curzon Institute at which this contract was discussed.

Stephen Williams: holding answer 16 December 2013
	Ministers have not met with the Curzon Institute/Curzon Education. Civil servants have met representatives of Curzon Education on 21 June 2013, 4 July 2013, 5 September 2013 and 10 October 2013. Mr Amin, who is their projects adviser, attended the first three meetings.
	There are no formal minutes to publish, simply because, as was the case under previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to take or publish formal minutes of informal meetings between officials and interested parties.
	I would like to take this opportunity to add to the comments made by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the right hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), on this topic in response to the oral question on 20 January 2014, Official Report, columns 17-18, by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald).
	The Government is committed to honouring the contribution of the every one of the brave men and women who served during the First World War-those from the UK, from the Commonwealth and beyond, whose bravery and service was so crucial to the Allied victory.
	The Department was approached by Curzon Education with a proposal to deliver a series of lectures around the country, focusing on the little-known contribution of people from all faiths and all backgrounds, from Canada to the Caribbean, in fighting for the Allied cause and the defence of liberty. Accompanying the lectures, Curzon Education will also be producing educational material covering the contribution made by the Commonwealth during the First World War.
	To date, Curzon Education has delivered nine lectures across the country, including Birmingham, Bristol, London and Leicester. These lectures have attracted over 1,300 people, from different faiths, schools and community groups. More events are to follow. Further information on the programme can be found at:
	http://ww1commonwealthcontribution.org/
	This grant to Curzon went through the standard civil service vetting and approval processes. What one of representatives of the Curzon Institute does in his spare time was not relevant in the slightest. Mr Amin may be active in Conservative party politics, but I am sure that many parliamentary candidates from other parties have sat and assisted voluntary sector organisations which may have received government funding under previous Administrations.
	This worthwhile project will help to make the Government's First World War centenary fitting, meaningful and relevant. It encourages integration by sharing the message that people of all faiths and all backgrounds can be united in service and bravery.

Curzon Institute

Andrew McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  on what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have met representatives of the Curzon Institute;
	(2)  on what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have met Afzal Amin.

Stephen Williams: holding answer 28 January 2014
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Sheila Gilmore) today, PQ 180228.

Enterprise Zones

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2014, Official Report, column 363W, on Enterprise Zones, how many jobs have been created in each enterprise zone since April 2012.

Kris Hopkins: holding answer 27 January 2014
	This Department does not produce estimates of the net number of jobs secured by Enterprise Zones since April 2012. Enterprise Zones do provide us with regular figures on new employment positions filled in zones but these may be subject to local commercial sensitivities. For this reason, it is for individual zones to determine whether they make their net job numbers available.

Government Departments: Property

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many Government-owned properties and public land sites (a) have been sold since 2010, (b) are projected to be sold in the next two years and (c) are in the process of being sold;
	(2)  what the current use is for each of the Government-owned properties and public land sites (a) that have been sold since 2010, (b) are projected to be sold in each of the next two years and (c) are in the process of being sold; whether such properties are sold at the full market value; how many such properties are suitable for housing development; how many would require a change of use application to be used for housing development; how many change of use applications were made on such properties whilst they were still in Government ownership; and if he will make a statement.

Kris Hopkins: The Public Sector Land programme, which identifies land suitable for housing in this spending review and has so far sold 439 sites in England and Departments are forecasting to sell a further 355 sites by March 2015. This Department does not hold data on projected future land sales beyond 2015.
	The Government Property Unit runs e-PIMS the central database of the Government Central Civil Estate properties and land, and this records the precise location of property, along with the associated information such as landlord, lease details and usage. Decisions about seeking planning consent for change of use before disposal are made on a case by case basis. We do not keep a central record of either current planning status or change of use applications. All Government land assets are sold in accordance with the principles set out in managing public money.

Housing Benefit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how his Department expects the cost of installing, maintaining and repairing special equipment and adaptations for housing will be met after universal credit replaces housing benefit.

Kris Hopkins: holding answer 6 February 2014
	The Disabled Facilities Grant, which funds over 40,000 adaptations annually, will continue to be available to those who qualify. My Department secured £725 million for the grant in the 2010 spending review for the period 2011-12 to 2014-15 and over the last two years the Government has invested a further £60 million. In the 2015-16 spending round, the Government announced that the initial grant allocation will increase by 19% to £220 million.
	The Government also funds Foundations, the national body for home improvement agencies, to provide advice and disseminate good practice on the provision and maintenance of adaptations. In addition, the Homes Adaptations Consortium last year updated the Government guidance on adaptations, including advice on repair and maintenance. The guidance encourages local councils and home improvement agencies to think carefully about the installation, maintenance and repair of adaptations, and these decisions will continue to be made locally. The guidance can be found at:
	http://www.careandrepair-england.org.uk/reports.htm

Housing: Older People

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many units of retirement housing of all tenures were completed in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13.

Kris Hopkins: The requested information is not centrally collected.

Local Government Finance: Greater London

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total funding from his Department was for each London borough in each of the last five years.

Brandon Lewis: The funding allocated through to each local authority in previous Local Government Finance Settlements can be found online at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/
	There will be other grants and payments given to local authorities. Current and historic figures for departmental spending over £500 (and since 2013, over £250) can be found online on my Department's website as part of our wider transparency agenda.
	Information on councils’ income will also be outlined in London boroughs’ annual accounts, which should be on their council websites.

Local Government: Pay

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government of 18 December 2013, Official Report, column 759, on local government finance, what support to meet future equal pay commitments his Department will provide to local authorities that have followed his advice to use reserves for front-line services.

Brandon Lewis: Most councils have fully addressed their equal pay liabilities. For those that are yet to do so, the Government amended capital finance regulations to provide continued flexibility in the way such liabilities can be treated in authorities' annual accounts and to enable authorities to use capital receipts raised from asset sales in or after 2012-13 to fund such costs.
	However, there can be no blank cheque from national taxpayers to bail out councils which dragged their feet on delivering pay equality. Councils have to take responsibility for their decisions (and indecision).

National Parks: Planning Permission

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if his Department will consider introducing an exemption for extending permitted development rights in national parks.

Nicholas Boles: We are currently considering responses to the consultation ‘Greater flexibilities for change of use’. An announcement on the detail of any new permitted development rights will be made in the spring.

Official Hospitality

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library details of all transactions recorded by his Department under the Catering and Hospitality expenses types in the calendar year 2013 including (a) copies of invoices and (b) proof of payment, including date of payment.

Brandon Lewis: holding answer 11 February 2014
	I am placing in the Library of the House, a copy of the recent letter by the permanent secretary to the right hon. Member in response to his letter on the issue of recorded catering and hospitality spending. It notes how the recent media claims on this issue were incorrect and based on factually. inaccurate research. A detailed and accurate listing of our spending is available on our website.
	The right hon. Member may wish to encourage his researchers and/or the Labour party to take up an Excel training course from Parliamentary ICT Training to avoid future mistakes and spurious claims.

Social Rented Housing

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what requirement the Homes and Communities Agency imposes in respect of the proportion of one-bedroom properties to be provided in social housing developments funded through a social housing grant.

Kris Hopkins: holding answer 10 February 2014
	The Home and Communities Agency is now inviting bids for a share of £1.7 billion grant funding for the 2015-18 Affordable Homes Programme outside London. Bids are sought for schemes which meet local needs and priorities in their proposed locations, including building more one bedroom properties in areas where these are in short supply. This will give more households who are under-occupying a social home an opportunity to move to a suitably sized home, and free up larger homes for larger families in housing need.

Social Rented Housing

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to his Department's announcement in January 2014 of a review of how more social homes can be built, what selection process was used leading to the appointment of Natalie Elphicke and Keith House to lead the review; who was consulted before the decision to commission the review was taken; who was consulted about the appointment of the leaders of the review; where the appointment process was advertised; who made the appointments; what remuneration is being paid to the review leaders; and what resources of his Department are being committed to the review.

Kris Hopkins: holding answer 10 February 2014
	The decision to conduct a review into the role of local authorities in housing supply was announced in the autumn statement.
	The appointment of those leading the review was taken jointly by Ministers in my Department and HM Treasury. They were selected on the basis of their considerable experience of housing, local government, finance and law, and in light of the desire for a fresh perspective on this policy area.
	In terms of remunerating the leaders of the review, and departmental resources committed to the review, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 February 2014, Official Report, column 177W, to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk).

CABINET OFFICE

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the office space owned or leased by his Department is not in regular use; what the total  (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Francis Maude: Since 2010 this Government has been working to rationalise its estate and dispose of unnecessary properties. We have got out of hundreds of properties, which were previously under-occupied or superfluous to needs. We now publish more details than ever before on how Departments are using their buildings. Our work to rationalise the Government's property estate resulted in the disposal of 401 buildings in 2012-13, saving the taxpayer £620 million last year alone.
	Unoccupied property held by the Cabinet Office includes Admiralty Arch which will soon be handover to Prime Investors Capital (a lease on which was sold in 2012 for £60 million) and 36Whitehall which is being modernised.
	The Government residual estate is now part of the Cabinet Office. Birch House in Bristol is office space that is currently empty with a rental value of £60,000 per annum. The Government Property Unit (part of the Cabinet Office) is working to dispose of this and other unnecessary properties. The remainder of the Cabinet Office estate is in regular use.
	Information about property valuations for the Cabinet Office's Land and Buildings, which have been audited by the National Audit Office, are contained in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2012-13, available from the Libraries in the House and publicly on line via
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2012-to-2013

Charities

David Nuttall: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the prevalence of fundraising by charities in streets and other public places.

Nick Hurd: Effective and responsible fundraising underpins the success of the charity sector, and is essential for charities' independence. Cash collections in the street require a licence from the local licensing authority. Face-to-face (direct debit) fundraising is self-regulated by the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA). The PFRA agrees site management agreements with local authorities to control the extent of face-to-face fundraising and prevent nuisance.

Emergencies

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps his Department has taken to ensure that local resilience forums have effective and linked websites providing public information before, during and after an emergency.

Francis Maude: The Civil Contingencies Act assigns primary responsibility for emergency planning to local emergency responders. This includes a duty to make the public aware of the risks of emergencies and how responders plan to deal with them if they occur; and to warn the public and provide them with information and advice as necessary if an emergency is likely to occur or has occurred.
	To support local responders with their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act the Cabinet Office provides a range of statutory and non-statutory guidance. The core statutory guidance 'Emergency Preparedness' sets out the duty to communicate information about risk and warning and informing during an emergency and provides advice on how those duties might be carried out.
	In addition the Cabinet Office provides further information and examples of good practice for communicating with the public.

Public Appointments

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what proportion of chairs of public bodies appointed since 5 May 2010 are (a) men and (b) women;
	(2)  how many chairs of public bodies were (a) men and (b) women in each of the last five years.

Francis Maude: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 February 2014, Official Report, column 301W, to the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart).

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which of the public appointments made by Government in each department between 1 April and 30 September 2013 were to remunerated posts; and in what pay band each such appointment was.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office does not hold this information centrally.

RAF Croughton

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Intelligence and Security Committee has visited RAF Croughton during the last two years. [R]

Francis Maude: The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) does not comment on the detail of its work programme.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Hunterston Power Stations

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on storage of waste from Hunterston nuclear power station.

Michael Fallon: The Department has not had any recent discussions with the Scottish Government about storage of waste from Hunterston nuclear power station.

Nuclear Power Stations

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when his Department submitted its application to the European Commission for approval of providing state support for the financed radioactive waste and decommissioning plans for new build nuclear power plants; when he expects the decision on this application to be made; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the application.

Michael Fallon: Under the Energy Act 2008 operators of new nuclear power stations are required to have a Funded Decommissioning Programme (FDP) approved by the Secretary of State before construction can begin. There is no provision for state support in the FDP framework and the Government does not intend to make any application to the European Commission under state aid rules in regard to the FDP framework.
	Alongside the approval of an operator's FDP, the Government will expect to enter into a contract with the operator regarding the terms on which the Government will take title to and liability for the operator's spent fuel and intermediate level waste (ILW). In particular, this agreement will need to set out how the price that will be charged for this waste transfer will be determined (the “Waste Transfer Price”). The Government has published a methodology which sets out how the Waste Transfer Price will be determined. This is available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/42629/3798-waste-transfer-pricing-methodology.pdf
	The methodology states that the Government's approach to taking title to and liability for ILW and spent fuel will be subject to ensuring compliance with EU state aid rules. The Government has therefore been in contact with the European Commission in order to ensure that the Government's approach is compliant with EU state aid rules and expects to submit a formal notification of this case in 2014 in accordance with EU procedures. All state aid decisions by the European Commission are published on the European Commission website.

Nuclear Power: France

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the UK-France Declaration on Nuclear Energy of 31 January 2014, what the dates and themes have been of the joint meetings held between respective national ministries, regulators, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the Gendarmerie to date; what decisions were taken and what actions arose; and what the cost has been of such co-operation since May 2010.

Michael Fallon: Representatives of the UK and France met on 11 January and 14 June 2013. The theme each time was respective security frameworks. It was agreed that the main steering group would meet annually and that between these meetings working groups would further exchange best practice on cross-cutting civil nuclear security matters, for example covering physical security and guarding. Costs to DECC so far are approximately £2,400.

Sellafield

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of contracts connected to decontamination work at Sellafield have been awarded to parent companies of Nuclear Management Partners; and what the value of those contracts is.

Michael Fallon: The 2012-13 Sellafield Ltd (SL) Annual Report and Accounts notes that SL traded with URS, Amec and Areva in the ordinary course of business with total purchases during 2013 of £53 million—approximately 6% of total supply chain spend (2012: £54 million). This figure includes reach-back costs (£25 million in 2013).

Sellafield

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess whether there was a benefit to the local supply chain in West Cumbria from the work of Nuclear Management Partners at Sellafield.

Michael Fallon: Annual local supply chain spending has been increased by over £100 million since Nuclear Management Partners were awarded the Parent Body Contract at Sellafield in 2008.
	Sellafield Ltd currently spends over £300 million per annum in the local supply chain (34% of total annual supply chain spend).

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the Government's commitment to give due consideration to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) when making new policy and legislation, if he will place in the Library all assessments of how new policy and legislation from his Department since January 2013 has given due consideration to the UNCRC.

Gregory Barker: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has been considered in the context of broader human rights issues at the time of formulating DECC's primary legislation during the period specified. Given the terms of the Convention and the content of the legislation no further assessment has been thought necessary.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bovine Tuberculosis

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 November 2013, Official Report, column 21W, on bovine tuberculosis and with reference to the response to request number RFI 2218 made by Natural England on 15 November 2013, if he will review his policy on parliamentary information to written parliamentary questions to ensure that the standards of openness applied under parliamentary proceedings are no less favourable than those applied under statutory requirements.

George Eustice: The information released by Natural England in response to request number RFI 2218 was on the numbers of badgers culled by shooting and cage trapping in the first six weeks of each pilot only. Those six week periods came to an end prior to the hon. Member's previous question. Further details on the method used to remove badgers for the full period of each pilot will be released in due course, as previously stated. Ministers' obligations to Parliament are set out in the ministerial code.

Energy

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring off-grid energy within the remit of the energy regulator.

Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
	Ofgem regulates the monopoly companies that run the electricity and gas networks. There is no natural or structural monopoly for supply and distribution in off-gas grid fuels, and a market study conducted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in 2011 found few competition concerns, with 97% of heating oil consumers having access to four or more different suppliers.
	We believe that an open and competitive market in such fuels is the best way to protect the interests of off-gas grid consumers. The third Ministerial Roundtable on heating oil and LPG is due to be held in May, to take stock of the off-gas grid fuel market over the winter heating period. This will include looking at the impact of the Customer Charter and the voluntary Code of Practice that the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers introduced in September.

Firearms: Licensing

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Secretary of State for the Home Department on charges for firearm licences.

George Eustice: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), raised this issue with Home Office Ministers on a number of occasions last year as part of DEFRA’s responsibilities to ensure all Government Departments rural proof their policies. DEFRA is closely involved in the Home Office working group looking at the issues of firearms fees, the efficiency of the licensing administration and the impact of moving to online licensing processes.

Flood Control

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value of private sector investment has been in flood defences in the UK in each of the last five years.

Dan Rogerson: Flood risk management is a devolved issue. Many defences are privately owned. The Government does not collect data on private sector investments in flood defences in the UK.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken since 2008 to raise awareness among vulnerable residents in flood risk areas.

Dan Rogerson: In 2008-09 the Environment Agency set up ‘Floodwise’, a national project that aimed to raise the awareness of flood risk among vulnerable residents in flood risk areas.
	Between April 2009 and September 2012, the Environment Agency informed over 875,000 people about their flood risk. The Floodwise project specifically targeted the elderly, those with young children and those on low incomes. Of the 875,000 people that were informed about their flood risk 148,000 were elderly, 78,000 were parents with young children and 227,000 were people on low incomes.
	As a result of the Floodwise project:
	Around 75,000 people checked their flood risk;
	Around 34,000 people signed up to the free flood warning service;
	Around 8,500 people completed personal flood plans; and
	Over 670 communities developed community flood plans (helping to reduce the risk of flooding to over 300,000 people).
	Since the project ended in 2012, the Environment Agency has continued to engage with priority at-risk communities. It has also run two national flood action campaigns promoting individual and community flood action.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of local authority flood control centres during and after major flooding.

Dan Rogerson: There is much to commend local authorities for in how they have responded to and managed recent flooding events. However, in every emergency response there are lessons that can be learned to better inform us for the next event.
	We will look at the communications between the different agencies involved and the preparedness of different organisations to carry out their respective responsibilities in order to identify ways to improve our response to future events.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to introduce a public information campaign for use by the media and local authorities to give a definitive set of flood prevention and mitigation advice for householders and businesses; and when such advice was last updated.

Dan Rogerson: Information about flood risk management is available on the Environment Agency website. The Environment Agency also runs a national awareness raising campaign each year.
	DEFRA is currently funding a two-year Flood Resilience Community Pathfinder Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to assist communities who are trialling simple and effective ways to minimise their flood risk, improve levels of preparedness and build confidence and increased peace of mind among those at risk.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the Association of British Insurers and other relevant organisations about exploring and developing technological and process improvements to speed up the drying out and stabilising process after a household or business has been flooded.

Dan Rogerson: There have been no discussions with the Association of British Insurers or other relevant organisations on this matter. DEFRA has policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk management. Operating authorities and technical experts are free to investigate the effectiveness of any technique or material, subject to existing regulatory constraints.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Department of Health on developing a single set of flood-related health advice for householders and businesses to be used by local and national organisations dealing with flooding.

Dan Rogerson: DEFRA worked closely with the Department of Health, Public Health England, the Environment Agency, NHS England and others to produce the National Flood Emergency Framework, published in October 2013. The framework sets out the Government's strategic approach to planning for and responding to flooding. It includes a section on the health consequences of flooding, and gives guidance on how local authorities and others should give advice to the public in emergencies, including information on health and welfare.
	The Environment Agency and Public Health England have also produced a public flood advice leaflet, published in early December 2013. This advice is issued through the Local Resilience Forum Strategic Co-ordinating Group in its public communication to local communities.

Floods: Brighton

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on flood protection in Brighton, Pavilion constituency in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2010-11, (e) 2011-12 and (f) 2012-13; and how much has been allocated by his Department for flood protection in that constituency for (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16.

Dan Rogerson: The Department does not record flood defence spend on the basis of constituency boundaries in this area.
	The following DEFRA flood defence grant in aid allocations have been made by the Environment Agency to Brighton and Hove city council. Some of this will relate to work on flood protection in the Brighton Pavilion constituency.
	2007-08: nil
	2008-09: nil
	2009-10: £180,000 to develop a Surface Water Management Plan
	2010-11: £95,000 to develop a Surface Water Management Plan.
	2011-12: £14,000 to fulfil obligations as Lead Local Flood Authority.
	2012-13: £440,000 (£248,000 to fulfil obligations as Lead Local Flood Authority and £192,000 for Brighton Marina to River Adur Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy).
	2013-14: £283,000 (£108,000 to fulfil obligations as Lead Local Flood Authority, £55,000 Brighton Kemp Town to Shoreham Port recycling scheme, and £120,000 for Brighton Marina to River Adur Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy).
	2014-15: £24,000 for Brighton Marina to River Adur Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy.
	2015-16: Allocations for 2015-16 have not yet been made.

Floods: Somerset

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he received from public authorities in the Somerset Levels for assistance following the flooding in late 2013.

Dan Rogerson: holding answer 4 February 2014
	DEFRA has not received any formal requests for assistance from public authorities in the Somerset Levels.
	However, through the local Strategic Command Group, planners have engaged and continue to engage with council emergency managers.
	Royal Marines are actively engaged in supporting Somerset county council in its response to the flooding. They and further military personnel and equipment are available to the front line responders as required.
	Somerset Fire and Rescue service has been in receipt of high volume pumps from the national assets register and is able to call upon flood rescue assets from the same source.

Floods: Somerset

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date his Department received requests for assistance from Somerset County Council arising from flooding incidents.

Dan Rogerson: holding answer 4 February 2014
	DEFRA has not received any formal requests for assistance from Somerset county council in relation to flooding incidents.

Floods: Somerset

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates his Department received requests for assistance from Sedgemoor District Council arising from flooding incidents.

Dan Rogerson: holding answer 4 February 2014
	DEFRA has not received any formal requests for assistance from Sedgemoor district council in relation to flooding incidents.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of fuel price rises on households using liquefied petroleum gas.

Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
	Despite recent increases in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, average prices in January 2014 were 72.83p/l, 3% lower than in January 2013, 1% lower than in 2012 and 3% lower than in 2011. Therefore, while recent increases in LPG prices will have had a negative impact on households using LPG, the long-term assessment indicates that households using LPG were better off in January 2014 than in this same month in the previous three years.
	A market study conducted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in 2011 commented on the generally positive initial impact of the Competition Commission Orders from 2009 to make it easier for domestic bulk LPG consumers to switch supplier.
	In April 2012, the OFT secured voluntary agreements from the major LPG suppliers to make changes to their domestic bulk customer contracts and improve transparency around switching and cancellation rights. These changes apply for both individual tank and metered estate customers.
	Domestic bulk LPG suppliers remain subject to the Competition Commission Orders and the OFT will continue to undertake its statutory duty to keep under review the effectiveness of and compliance with these orders.
	We believe that an open and competitive market in such fuels is the best way to protect the interests of liquefied petroleum gas consumers.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many public appointments his Department made in the last 12 months; how many such appointments are remunerated posts; what the level of such remuneration is; and how many people so appointed are (a) women and (b) men.

Dan Rogerson: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 5 February 2014, Official Report, column 301W.

Reservoirs: Maps

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress his Department has made in providing local resilience forums with inundation maps for both large and small reservoirs for the purpose of (a) assessing risks, (b) contingency planning, (c) warning and evacuation and (d) making outline maps available to the public online since 2008.

Dan Rogerson: Detailed inundation maps were made available to Local Resilience Forums in December 2009 on the Civil Contingencies Secretariat's National Resilience Extranet, for them to use for contingency planning. Outline inundation maps became publicly available on the Environment Agency's website in December 2010.
	The Reservoirs Act 1975 only applies to reservoirs that hold at least 25,000 cubic metres of water above ground level. Smaller reservoirs do not need to be registered under the Act and flood maps have not been prepared for those below the statutory threshold.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the Government's commitment to give due consideration to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) when making new policy and legislation, if he will place in the Library all assessments of how new policy and legislation from his Department since January 2013 has given due consideration to the UNCRC.

Dan Rogerson: The coalition Government is due to report to the UN Committee responsible for the UN convention on the Rights of the Child shortly. The Department for Education is coordinating the response with contributions from other Government Departments, including the work that DEFRA has undertaken. Once the Government has submitted its response to the UN Committee, a copy will be placed in the House Library.

Waste Disposal: Fires

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fires there have been at waste transfer stations in the last three years. [R]

Dan Rogerson: There have been a total of 335 fires at waste transfer stations regulated by the Environment Agency in the three years from 2011-13.
	The following table also gives the number of fires recorded by the Environment Agency at all types of regulated and unregulated waste management sites over the same period.
	
		
			 Type of waste management site 2011 2012 2013 Total 
			 Regulated waste transfer stations 133 96 106 335 
			 All regulated waste sites 348 247 254 849 
			 All regulated and unregulated waste sites 425 302 295 1022 
		
	
	The figures for waste transfer stations are a sub-set of ‘All regulated waste sites’ which also include composting sites, anaerobic treatment facilities, metal recycling and vehicle dismantling facilities, other treatment sites and landfills etc. In turn the figures for ‘All regulated waste sites’ are included in the figures for ‘All regulated and unregulated waste sites’ which additionally cover fires at illegal sites and unregulated sites, such as places where the waste is produced.

JUSTICE

Aviation: Lasers

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2014, Official Report, column 223W, on aviation, how many convictions have been made under Article 222 of the Air Navigation Order 2009 since that order came into force.

Jeremy Wright: The number of offenders found guilty at all courts for offences under article 222 of the Air Navigation Order 2009 in England and Wales from 2009 to 2012 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
	Court proceedings data for 2013 are planned for publication in May 2014.
	
		
			 Offenders found guilty at all courts for offence under article 222 of the Air Navigation Order 2009 , England and Wales, 2009-121,2 
			 Statute Offence 2009 2010 2011 2012 
			 Air Navigation Order 2009, AA.221(a) & (b), 222 & 241(5) & Sch 13 Part B Exhibiting, directing or shining a light which by its glare or liability to be mistaken for an aeronautical ground light would endanger aircraft * 26 48 27 
			 "*" = Nil 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of the office space owned or leased by his Department is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Shailesh Vara: Details of Ministry of Justice's vacant properties including the tenure, size and availability, are recorded on the central Government property database, Epims. These records are available via the following link:
	www.data.gov.uk/dataset/epims
	Information on the retail value of unused office space, including that within surplus court buildings, is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate costs. The Ministry of Justice is constantly seeking ways of reducing its rental liability. It is currently engaged in an active programme to rationalise its estate including exiting properties on lease expiry or break option if earlier in accordance with Cabinet Office National Property Controls.
	The value of the Department's real estate is published in its annual report and accounts.

Offences Against Children

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects that his proposed round- table meeting with groups representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse will take place; and when he expects that invitations to participate in that meeting will be issued.

Damian Green: As part of the Department’s engagement with victims’ groups, I will be holding round-table meetings this year on a variety of issues affecting victims of crime. Invitations for a forthcoming round-table will be sent to a wide range of victims’ groups in due course including, but not restricted to, groups representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
	The National Group on Sexual Violence Against Children and Vulnerable People brought together its Strategic Stakeholder Group on 6 February 2014 to discuss progress in relation to its published action plan, the outcomes of recent National Group discussions and to identify actions for inclusion in the emerging strategic delivery plan.
	Within the context of the National Group’s work, Essex County Council are organising a roundtable event this month to discuss best practice locally. The event will be attended by representatives from a range of local organisations providing support for victims of sexual violence, including child sexual exploitation. Invitations for this event have been sent.

Office of the Public Guardian

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many safeguarding referrals remained unprocessed by the Office of the Public Guardian on the first day of each month from 1 May 2010;
	(2)  how many safeguarding referrals were (a) received and (b) processed by the Office of the Public Guardian in each month since May 2010.

Simon Hughes: The Public Guardian has statutory authority to investigate complaints, or allegations of abuse, made against deputies or attorneys acting under registered powers. The Office of the Public Guardian’s (OPG) Compliance Unit deals with complex cases and, in particular, investigations into concerns about deputies and attorneys.
	Complaints and inquiries forwarded to the Compliance Unit by the wider OPG are recorded as referrals. Investigations are commenced by the Investigations Unit subject to an assessment of the evidence provided. In cases where the OPG has no jurisdiction referrals are signposted to other appropriate agencies. The Compliance Unit aims to risk assess all safeguarding referrals within two working days and signpost referrals when necessary to other agencies within five working days.
	The figures for referrals processed can be found in the table. Prior to April 2012 the date of clearance was only recorded for certain outcomes for internal purposes. As such there are a number of referrals for which we cannot establish a processing date. Records of clearance are not complete for December 2013 and January 2014 as cases have not yet been assessed and cleared. Where referrals are not processed in the month they were received they may have been sent to the Compliance Unit at the end of the month and therefore may still be within the Unit’s targets. The rise in outstanding referrals from August 2013 onwards is due to the unusually high number of referrals received in August and the subsequent months.
	
		
			  Outstanding at start of month Referrals received Referrals processed Received in month, date of processing not recorded 
			 May 2010 31 119 103 29 
			 June 2010 18 224 137 53 
			 July 2010 52 272 210 80 
			 August 2010 34 215 172 50 
			 September 2010 27 222 191 46 
			 October 2010 12 218 154 46 
			 November 2010 30 239 194 44 
			 December 2010 30 177 139 30 
			 January 2011 38 229 215 21 
			 February 2011 35 299 250 40 
			 March 2011 47 358 338 40 
			 April 2011 25 269 217 44 
			 May 2011 32 221 176 35 
			 June 2011 42 244 231 35 
			 July 2011 25 251 205 42 
			 August 2011 26 272 219 32 
			 September 2011 45 309 297 23 
			 October 2011 33 311 265 25 
			 November 2011 55 311 290 3 
			 December 2011 70 289 281 — 
			 January 2012 78 381 377 1 
			 February 2012 82 387 392 — 
			 March 2012 77 423 420 3 
			 April 2012 96 215 236 — 
			 May 2012 59 306 303 — 
			 June 2012 60 209 225 — 
			 July 2012 44 249 254 — 
			 August 2012 38 258 248 — 
			 September 2012 48 212 215 — 
			 October 2012 45 264 280 — 
			 November 2012 29 256 250 — 
		
	
	
		
			 December 2012 35 214 218 — 
			 January 2013 31 265 242 — 
			 February 2013 55 287 292 — 
			 March 2013 50 226 243 — 
			 April 2013 33 267 260 — 
			 May 2013 40 281 256 — 
			 June 2013 65 241 249 — 
			 July 2013 57 396 287 — 
			 August 2013 166 424 467 — 
			 September 2013 123 336 395 — 
			 October 2013 64 486 427 — 
			 November 2013 123 456 405 — 
			 December 2013 132 302 263 24 
			 January 2014 146 310 350 137

Office of the Public Guardian

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the Office of the Public Guardian in each month since May 2010.

Simon Hughes: The number of full-time equivalent staff employed by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has risen from 477 in May 2011 to 699 as of January 2014.
	The rise in staff numbers is in response to an increase in LPA applications and the number of deputies supervised. LPAs registered rose from 49,316 in 2008-09 to 228,744 in 2012-13.The OPG expects 300,000 applications in 2013-14.
	The supervision caseload has risen from 32,000 in 2009-10 for 47,000 in Q2 2013-14. The short-term peak in staff in 2011-12 was to cover dual running while the OPG moved its main operations from London to Birmingham.
	The figures requested are provided in the following table:
	
		
			 Total staff FTE 
			  Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 
			 2010-11 — 476.87 482.46 397.65 479.09 468.88 503.01 516.98 501.37 512.87 522.61 530.42 
			 2011-12 517.68 509.66 558.11 588.20 661.12 643.13 654.48 659.62 623.55 612.99 584.21 585.41 
			 2012-13 598.50 613.26 598.70 605.22 602.88 617.99 601.15 625.59 625.21 625.93 629.13 640.74 
			 2013-14 648.73 663.65 672.36 675.13 660.44 672.89 677.85 678.30 692.76 699.21 — —

Prisons

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which prisons have gone through his Department's benchmarking process to date; and which prisons are due to be benchmarked under that process during 2014 and 2015.

Jeremy Wright: All public sector prisons will have been benchmarked by October 2014 and will have implemented their benchmark reports by March 2015.

Prisons

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the name, opening date and operator of each prison in England and Wales are.

Jeremy Wright: The name, opening dates and operators of each currently operating prison in England and Wales are provided in the following table. Where a prison is the result of a merger or clustering the date that change occurred is given.
	
		
			 Prison Year of opening Operator 
			 Altcourse 1997 G4S 
			 Ashfield 1999 Serco 
			 Askham Grange 1950 HMPS 
			 Aylesbury 1847 HMPS 
			 Bedford 1801 HMPS 
			 Belmarsh 1991 HMPS 
			 Birmingham 1849 G4S 
			 Blantyre House 1954 HMPS 
			 Brinsford 1991 HMPS 
			 Bristol 1883 HMPS 
			 Bronzefield 2004 Sodexo 
			 Buckley Hall 1995 HMPS 
			 Bullingdon 1992 HMPS 
			 Bure 2009 HMPS 
			 Cardiff 1832 HMPS 
			 Channings Wood 1974 HMPS 
			 Chelmsford 1830 HMPS 
			 Cookham Wood 1978 HMPS 
			 Dartmoor 1809 HMPS 
			 Deerbolt 1973 HMPS 
			 Doncaster 1994 Serco 
			 Dovegate 2001 Serco 
			 Drake Hall 1960s HMPS 
			 Durham 1819 HMPS 
			 East Sutton Park 1946 HMPS 
			 Eastwood Park 1968 HMPS 
			 Elmley 1992 HMPS 
			 Erlestoke 1962 HMPS 
			 Exeter 1850 HMPS 
			 Featherstone 1976 HMPS 
			 Ford 1960 HMPS 
			 Forest Bank 2000 Sodexo 
			 Foston Hall 1953 HMPS 
			 Frankland 1980 HMPS 
			 Full Sutton 1987 HMPS 
			 Garth 1998 HMPS 
			 Gartree 1965 HMPS 
			 Glen Parva 1974 HMPS 
			 Grendon1 1962 HMPS 
			 Guys Marsh 1960 HMPS 
			 Hatfield 1950 HMPS 
			 Haverigg 1967 HMPS 
			 Hewell 2008 HMPS 
			 Highpoint 1977 HMPS 
			 Hindley 1961 HMPS 
			 Hollesley Bay 1938 HMPS 
			 Holme House 1993 HMPS 
			 Hull 1870 HMPS 
			 Humber 2013 HMPS 
			 Huntercombe 1946 HMPS 
			 Isle of Wight 2009 HMPS 
			 Kennet 2006 HMPS 
			 Kirkham 1962 HMPS 
			 Kirklevington Grange 1965 HMPS 
			 Lancaster Farms 1993 HMPS 
			 Leeds 1847 HMPS 
			 Leicester 1828 HMPS 
			 Lewes 1853 HMPS 
			 Leyhill 1946 HMPS 
			 Lincoln 1872 HMPS 
			 Lindholme 1985 HMPS 
			 Littlehey 1997 HMPS 
		
	
	
		
			 Liverpool 1855 HMPS 
			 Long Lartin 1971 HMPS 
			 Low Newton 1965 HMPS 
			 Lowdham Grange 1998 Serco 
			 Maidstone 1812 HMPS 
			 Manchester 1868 HMPS 
			 Moorland 1991 HMPS 
			 Mount, The 1987 HMPS 
			 New Hall 1936 HMPS 
			 North Sea Camp 1935 HMPS 
			 Northumberland 2011 Sodexo 
			 Norwich 1887 HMPS 
			 Nottingham 1890 HMPS 
			 Oakwood 2012 G4S 
			 Onley 1968 HMPS 
			 Pare 1997 G4S 
			 Peterborough 2005 Sodexo 
			 Portland 1848 HMPS 
			 Prescoed2 1939 HMPS 
			 Preston 1948 HMPS 
			 Ranby 1972 HMPS 
			 Risley 1964 HMPS 
			 Rochester 1874 HMPS 
			 Rye Hill 2001 G4S 
			 Spring Hill1 1953 HMPS 
			 Stafford 17943 HMPS 
			 Standford Hill 1950 HMPS 
			 Stocken 1985 HMPS 
			 Stoke Heath 1964 HMPS 
			 Styal 1962 HMPS 
			 Sudbury 1948 HMPS 
			 Swaleside 1988 HMPS 
			 Swansea 1861 HMPS 
			 Swinfen Hall 1963 HMPS 
			 Thameside 2012 Serco 
			 Thorn Cross 1985 HMPS 
			 Verne, The 1949 HMPS 
			 Usk2 1844 HMPS 
			 Wakefield 1594 HMPS 
			 Warren Hill 1982 HMPS 
			 Wayland 1985 HMPS 
			 Wealstun 1995 HMPS 
			 Wellington 1957 HMPS 
			 Wetherby 1958 HMPS 
			 Wharton 1966 HMPS 
			 Whitemoor 1991 HMPS 
			 Winchester 1846 HMPS 
			 Woodhill 1992 HMPS 
			 Wormwood Scrubs ????? HMPS 
			 Wymott 1979 HMPS 
			 1 Grendon and Spring Hill are managed as a single establishment. 2 Usk and Prescoed are managed as a single establishment. 3 Closed 1916 to 1940.

Probation

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice under payment of results schemes for the provision of offenders services, what proportion of the contract will be subjected to this scheme.

Jeremy Wright: Under our Transforming Rehabilitation proposals, Payment by Results will act as a real incentive for providers to reduce reoffending. In May 2013 we published a payment mechanism straw man on which we sought the views of potential providers from across all sectors. We consulted widely and published our response to the market feedback last September. As a result of the consultation exercise we made a number of refinements to the payment mechanism. The revised payment mechanism has now been made available to bidders as part of the competition exercise and we believe that it provides the right incentives for providers to focus on reducing reoffending. The Transforming Rehabilitation contract documentation will shortly be published on the MOJ website and also placed in the parliamentary Library.

Probation

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will summarise the research and evidence sources that underpinned his decision to open the supply of probation services to a wider range of potential suppliers.

Jeremy Wright: Published reoffending statistics show that, in the year to March 2012, 57.7% of prisoners serving sentences of less than 12 months reoffended within 12 months of release from custody, compared to 34.4% for prisoners released from sentences of 12 months or more. Overall, reoffending rates have barely changed over the last decade.
	The National Audit Office (2010) report ‘Managing Offenders on Short Custodial Sentences’ estimated that the total cost to the economy of crime committed by short-sentenced offenders during 2007-08 was around £7 billion to £10 billion a year.
	These figures make the case for reform very clear. Under our proposals in ‘Transforming Rehabilitation—A strategy for reform’, which we published in May 2013, we are extending supervision to short sentenced offenders and incentivising providers to reduce offending. The pilots in Peterborough and Doncaster have informed the new strategy, particularly in terms of working in partnership with providers from the private and voluntary sectors. According to interim reconviction data, these pilots show a fall in reoffending rates among the cohort of offenders covered by the scheme:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/276105/annex-a-payment-by-results-jan14.pdf)
	Final results for the first pilot cohorts will be available later this year.

Probation

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to ensure women released from prison into a different contract package area under the Transforming Rehabilitation proposals will receive high quality and holistic rehabilitation services and support.

Jeremy Wright: The proposed resettlement prison model for women prisoners stems from the NOMS review of the women's custodial estate. Part of the outcome of the review was that all women's prisons should be designated resettlement prisons in order to ensure that women prisoners in every establishment have access to resettlement services. Most resettlement prisons for women prisoners will serve more than one contract package area (CPA) so that as many providers of probation services will have access to their area's cohort of prisoners as is operationally viable.
	The model developed for the women's estate, which enables multiple providers access to most establishments, will mean that the majority of women prisoners will be provided resettlement services by the same provider who will provide statutory rehabilitation support upon release. For any women prisoners who are not accommodated in a prison to which their home provider has access, there will be a host lead provider, who will be responsible for preparing resettlement plans, delivering immediate requirements and engaging in pre-release planning with the women's home CRC.

Probation

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to prevent those women's centres which do not end up in Transforming Rehabilitation supply chains closing from a lack of funds.

Jeremy Wright: We invested £5.8 million on specific services for female offenders in the community in 2013-14, through Trust contract and partnership arrangements. This figure includes £3.78 million specifically ring-fenced for this purpose and we are committed to the continued funding of existing women's community services during the transitional period of the Transforming Rehabilitation programme.
	The contracts that are in place between Probation Trusts and Women's Community Services in 2014-15 will then transfer to the respective community rehabilitation companies. Potential new providers of probation services will be required to show how they are going to meet the needs of female offenders as they develop their bids and this will be a key evaluation criterion.

Probation

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what criteria will be used to award Transforming Rehabilitation contracts in respect of women's services.

Jeremy Wright: The Offender Rehabilitation Bill, currently before Parliament, proposes that current supervision and activity requirements are both replaced with a single rehabilitation activity requirement to allow probation providers to determine which appointments or activities offender should take part in.
	A specific amendment has been made to the Bill in relation to female offenders, requiring the Secretary of State to ensure that, in making arrangements for the supervision and rehabilitation of offenders, he has complied with the public sector duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as it relates to female offenders. Arrangements for the supervision and rehabilitation of offenders must also identify provision required to meet the particular needs of female offenders. The amendment applies both to contracts with Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) and services provided by the National Probation Service.
	Bidders for the CRC contracts will be expected to demonstrate an effective approach to the identification and recognition of women's needs (as well as protected characteristics), to ensure that individual needs are properly addressed.

Probation

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to the public purse will be of the delays in splitting the Probation Service into the National Probation Service and community rehabilitation companies until 1 June 2014.

Jeremy Wright: We remain on track to deliver much needed reforms which address the glaring gap in our system that currently sees around 50,000 short-term prisoners released on to the streets each year with no support. Our proposals remain affordable within the context of the MOJ commitment to deliver annual savings of over £2 billion by 2014-15.

Probation

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what timetable is for the remainder of the Transforming Rehabilitation plans including the (a) invitation to tender deadline, (b) awarding of contracts and (c) new providers starting delivery.

Jeremy Wright: The competition to find the future owners of the 21 community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) who will deliver rehabilitation services in England and Wales as set out in the Government's transforming rehabilitation strategy is now entering the invitation to negotiate stage (ITN). We published ITN documentation to the tier 1 providers on 31 January 2014. Contracts will be awarded and mobilised by 2015.

Reoffenders: Mental Illness

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate her Department has made of the number of repeat offenders with undiagnosed mental health issues.

Jeremy Wright: Two Ministry of Justice surveys of offenders (Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction (SPCR) and the Offender Management Community Cohort Study (OMCCS)) indicate there are offenders within the system who have unidentified mental health issues that could impact on their offending. However it is not possible to make an assessment of the number as these offenders remain undiagnosed.
	To improve the identification of offenders with mental health problems, the Government is developing a Liaison and Diversion Programme at police stations and courts to identify, assess and refer those with a range of vulnerabilities, including mental health issues, into treatment so that health problems can be picked up early on in the criminal justice process. £25 million is being invested in 2014-15 to test and evaluate a standard service specification for Liaison and Diversion in 10 areas in England. If successful, the ambition is to roll out services to every criminal court and police custody suite in England by 2017-18.
	SPCR:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/220060/gender-substance-misuse-mental-health-prisoners.pdf
	OMCCS:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/206734/results-omccs.pdf

Young Offender Institutions

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department is taking to reduce the cost of youth custody in Young Offender Institutions.

Jeremy Wright: The Government has recently set out its plans to transform youth custody and to introduce a pathfinder secure college in 2017. A secure college will put education at the heart of youth custody, contribute to reduced reoffending and reduce the cost of youth custody.
	NOMS is committed to delivering a cost-effective service in under-18 young offenders institutions that provides a safe, decent and secure regime to young people in custody. Over the last year, NOMS has introduced a standardised core day in all public sector under-18 YOIs, which ensures that all young people receive an equal level of service regardless of the establishment within which they are located. Following the publication of the plans for transforming youth custody, NOMS is further developing the standardised core day to support planned enhancements to the education provision. Alongside this NOMS has reviewed managerial structures and begun work to benchmark staffing structures, both of which will support education delivery and ensure value for money.

Young Offenders

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what measures are in place to support the resettlement of young offenders back into the community.

Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice is committed to reducing reoffending by young people. We believe that successful resettlement is key to achieving long-term sustainable outcomes for young people leaving custody.
	Youth offending teams work closely with secure establishments, local authorities, young people and their families and carers, to prepare young people for release and to provide them with support to resettle them back into the community. Youth offending teams (YOTs) deliver a variety of interventions to reduce reoffending, and we recently announced a new system of support and escalation for those YOTs where improvements are required.
	The Ministry of Justice and the Youth Justice Board are undertaking a significant programme of work to improve the resettlement process and reduce reoffending rates. This includes the establishment of resettlement consortia and regional employer forums, and improvements to sentence planning for those young people in custody. Our response to the Transforming Youth Custody consultation, which was published in January, sets out our plans, and can be found online at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/transforming-youth-custody-putting-education-at-the-heart-of-detention

Youth Custody

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many suicide attempts have been reported involving children held in custody.

Jeremy Wright: We are committed to the safety of offenders and to preventing deaths in custody. Strenuous efforts are made to learn from each death in custody. All establishments who hold young people are required to have procedures in place to identify, manage and support young people who are at risk of harm to themselves.
	The Youth Justice Board does not collect data on attempted suicides, although it does require secure establishments to report instances of self-harm. Whereas attempted suicide involves the intent to die, instances of self-harm may not. Determining the intent of a young person involved in a self-harm incident requires a subjective assessment, by trained a mental health professional, who may not be able to reach a definitive conclusion. Data on self-harm are published in the annual Youth Justice Statistics and can be found here:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/youth-justice-statistics
	(see Supplementary Tables, chapter 8).

WORK AND PENSIONS

Attendance Allowance

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department notifies claimants of attendance allowance at the start of the application process that they must state in their applications whether they are self-funded or receiving public funds to cover care costs.

Michael Penning: The attendance allowance claim form asks claimants who are in a hospital or a care home whether any of the costs of their stay are borne out of public funds.

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the office space owned or leased by his Department is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Michael Penning: DWP does not own any buildings. The DWP estate was sold (freehold, feuhold and long leasehold interests) or transferred (short leasehold interests) to Telereal Trillium under a PFI contract known as "PRIME" in 1998 and further in 2003.
	The proportion of leasehold space which is not in regular use is 0.7% of the total DWP estate-mainly as a consequence of other Government Departments as 'sub-tenants' vacating space for which DWP has no immediate use. All such space is registered on the Government Property Unit's database e-PIMS.
	The Government's top priority for surplus holdings is to reduce property costs by exiting leasehold agreements, selling freeholds or by sub-letting to external tenants.

Criminal Investigation

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisation his Department and its subsidiary bodies use to tackle internal instances of crime, including corruption and fraud; and whether he has designated this organisation or any individual within it to grant authorisation for carrying out directed surveillance under section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Michael Penning: A professional Internal Investigations team is employed directly to provide a staff investigation service for the Department for Work and Pensions and its subsidiary bodies. Some senior members of this team are designated to authorise directed surveillance under Section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The use of surveillance by this team is reviewed annually by The Office of the Surveillance Commissioner.

Disability Living Allowance

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will waive the 104 weeks' residency requirement for disability living allowance claimants who (a) have refugee status, (b) made their claim before this requirement was brought in and (c) are under 18 years old.

Michael Penning: Most claimants to disability benefits are required to meet the 104 weeks past presence test. There are exceptions for people such as those serving as members of the armed forces and their families, or if European law applies. Ministers have no discretion to waive conditions of entitlement like the past presence test, which are laid down in legislation. People who claimed a disability benefit before 8 April 2013 when the 104 weeks past presence test was introduced would have been expected to meet a 26 weeks past presence test.

Employment Schemes: Disability

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department has given to disability employment advisers on referring disabled individuals for training at specialist residential training colleges.

Michael Penning: We have published updated guidance for disability employment advisers (DEAs) to raise awareness of residential training provision, which clarifies the eligibility and suitability criteria in a bid to increase referrals to maximum capacity. This included a checklist designed and provided by the contracted colleges.

Employment Schemes: Disability

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  when he intends to respond to the July 2013 report of the Independent Advisory Panel which reported to Ministers on the future provision of residential training for disabled individuals in July 2013;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the effect of reducing support for training disabled people at specialist residential training colleges.

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress his Department has made in exploring options for residential training for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: We are currently exploring options to improve this provision for our customers and will work closely with the nine Residential Training Colleges who currently deliver this provision. We will publish our response to the Independent Advisory Panel report in due course.

Employment Schemes: Disability

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many disabled people were referred by disability employment advisers for training at specialist residential training colleges in each year since 2008;
	(2)  how many disabled people referred by disability employment advisers for training at specialist residential training colleges in each year for which data are available were in (a) the employment and support allowance (ESA), work-related activity group and (b) the ESA support group.

Michael Penning: The Department does not hold accurate figures relating to referrals of disabled people to specialist residential training colleges.

Employment Schemes: Disability

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of residential training colleges in providing access to employment to those with complex disabilities.

Michael Penning: Liz Sayce's 2011 report “Getting in, staying in and getting on” found that approximately one quarter of residential training places that DWP funded in 2009-10 led to a job outcome, of which two thirds become sustained job outcomes. The report also found that some residential training colleges had impressive links with local employers to help deliver highly work-focused training programmes.
	The review also identified residential training as the most expensive specialist disability employment programme and that this large disparity in unit costs across employment programmes could not be ignored.
	We recognise the valuable support residential training can provide and want to ensure that this support continues to be available. We are currently exploring options to improve this provision for our customers and are working closely with the nine residential training colleges.

Fracking: Fylde

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what on-the-ground inspections have been planned by the Health and Safety Executive for the two new proposed shale gas drilling sites in Fylde.

Michael Penning: No operational work has yet taken place at either of the proposed shale gas extraction sites in Fylde.
	Once operational work begins HSE and the Environment Agency will conduct a joint inspection of the key operations at the two proposed shale gas extraction sites.

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of social housing tenants affected by the implementation of the under-occupancy penalty who have been given exempt status are (a) men and (b) women.

Esther McVey: This information is not available.

Older Workers: Females

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of women aged between 50 and 64 leaving employment.

Steve Webb: A precise estimate is not available, but related research commissioned by DWP has suggested that in 2009 early retirement among men and women cost around £4 billion in lost tax and over £1.5 billion in social transfers (including working-age and pension-age benefits).
	Source:
	Barrell, R. et al (2011) “The Macroeconomic Impact from Extending Working Lives”, WP95.

Pay

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make an assessment of the potential effects of introducing a mandatory living wage on levels of child poverty.

Esther McVey: There has been no assessment of the impact of a living wage on child poverty.

Personal Independence Payment

Khalid Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken to make a decision to award personal independence payments to claimants with terminal cancer is.

Michael Penning: We intend to publish official statistics on personal independence payment from spring 2014.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  which paid public appointment contracts he has (a) renewed and (b) not renewed since May 2010; and how many posts were held by (i) women and (ii) men;
	(2)  what the titles are of the individual public appointments that have been made by his Department since May 2010; and which of those appointees were women.

Michael Penning: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 11 February 2014, Official Report, column 607W.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit claimants have been sanctioned in each (a) jobcentre region and (b) parliamentary constituency in each month in each of the last four years.

Esther McVey: The available information on how many benefit claimants have been sanctioned in each (a) jobcentre region and (b) parliamentary constituency in each month in each of the last four years will be placed in the Library.

Statutory Sick Pay: Miscarriage

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what exceptions are in place for those who claim statutory sick pay for a miscarriage at between 20 and 24 weeks who subsequently lose their job before completing the qualifying criterion of two full tax years for claiming jobseeker's allowance.

Michael Penning: There are no specific exceptions in place for women in this position. During any period that a woman is in receipt of statutory sick pay, for whatever reason, she is entitled to be credited with earnings equal to the lower earnings limit. These credits can be applied where the actual earnings for a particular year are insufficient to satisfy the contribution conditions for jobseeker’s allowance.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Attorney-General what proportion of the office space owned or leased by the Law Officers' Departments is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Oliver Heald: The proportion of the office space owned or leased by The Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol) which is not in regular use comprises 9% of the total estate. The rental value of all unused office space is £248,680.69. The retail value of this unused office space is £12.90 per sq ft. TSol does not own any buildings and therefore has not made any departmental real estate valuation.
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has 18.17% of its owned or leased estate that is not currently in regular use. The total rent value (ex VAT) of the unused space is £2,129,974.74 per annum. In respect of the one freehold property which is unused, Cae Banc, Carmarthen, the Current Indexed Carrying Amount (Net Book Value)—Existing Use, is shown as Land £80,681, Buildings £156,169. The valuation on Cae Banc has been calculated by the CPS following HM Treasury rules and guidelines based on a 2009 independent valuation by DTZ. The unused leasehold premises are not considered to hold any retail value. Rent figures have been provided by DTZ who act as managing agent on the CPS estate.
	Most vacant space results from operational changes aimed at reducing the estate and will fall rapidly as leases expired.
	The remaining Law Officers' Departments do not own or lease any property which is not in regular use.

Prosecutions

Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General what consideration he has given to the observations of His Honour Judge Peter Murphy about the financial implications of prosecution disclosure in the case of R v Renata Andrews and Others.

Oliver Heald: The Crown Prosecution Service had conducted a preliminary review into this case that has highlighted the need for further investigation as there appear to be failings in relation to decision-making and case progression. Once this has been completed, the Director of Public Prosecutions will conduct a detailed review to ensure lessons can be learnt from this case.
	I have asked the DPP to inform me of the outcome of her review, and I will write to the hon. Member when it has been completed.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Attorney-General 
	(1)  which paid public appointment contracts the Law Officers' Departments has (a) renewed and (b) not renewed since May 2010; and how many posts were held by (i) women and (ii) men;
	(2)  what the titles are of the individual public appointments that have been made by the Law Officers' Departments since May 2010; and which of those appointees were women.

Oliver Heald: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on Tuesday 11 February 2014, Official Report, column 607W.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people presented at accident and emergency departments in England in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people who presented at accident and emergency departments in England were diagnosed as having (a) scurvy and (b) rickets in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: Detailed information about diagnosis conditions including for scurvy and rickets is available for hospital admissions but not specifically for accident and emergency attendances. The number of hospital admissions in England with a primary diagnosis of scurvy or rickets from 2008-09 to 2012-13 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Table: Finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of scurvy or rickets 
			  Scurvy Rickets 
			 2008-09 7 95 
			 2009-10 6 66 
			 2010-11 8 66 
			 2011-12 8 74 
		
	
	
		
			 2012-13 18 65 
			 Notes: 1. The table shows activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. 2. Finished admission episodes are not a count of patients as the same patient may be admitted more than once in a financial year. 3. It is not possible to identify the total number of scurvy or rickets cases diagnosed as some diagnoses may have occurred in a primary care setting. The figures are for diagnoses resulting in a hospital admission. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre 
		
	
	The number of attendances at accident and emergency departments in England in each of the last five years is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Table: Number of attendances at accident and emergency departments (all types) in England, 2008-09 to 2012-13 
			  Number of attendances 
			 2008-09 19,588,344 
			 2009-10 20,511,908 
			 2010-11 21,380,985 
			 2011-12 21,481,402 
			 2012-13 21,738,637 
			 Source: NHS England, weekly situation reports

Action on Smoking and Health

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes from each governance meeting between his Department and Action on Smoking and Health in the last year.

Jane Ellison: The Department holds quarterly meetings with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) to monitor delivery according to the terms of the grant awarded under section 64 of the Health and Social Care Act.
	Copies of the grant reports from ASH which fall within this period and a copy of the end of grant report prepared by the tobacco team have been placed in the Library.

Ambulance Services: Protective Clothing

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received from ambulance trusts on the provision of stab vests for ambulance personnel;
	(2)  what guidance his Department issues to ambulance trusts on the provision of stab vests for ambulance personnel.

Daniel Poulter: A search of the Department's ministerial correspondence database has not identified any correspondence received since 1 February 2013 from ambulance trusts on the provision of stab vests for ambulance personnel. This is a minimum figure which represents correspondence received by the Department's ministerial correspondence unit only.
	A search of Private Office diary and correspondence records covering the same period also found no relevant meetings or correspondence.
	The Department has not issued any guidance to ambulance trusts on the provision of stab vests for ambulance personnel. Decisions on providing protective equipment for ambulance service staff, whether as standard issue or following risk assessment, are for employing trusts to make.
	NHS Protect can assist employers through guidance on assessing risks and acting to protect staff and, where incidents do occur, on taking action against offenders. NHS Protect also works with stakeholders to promote the safety and security of NHS staff.

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the office space owned or leased by his Department is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Daniel Poulter: The proportion of office space owned or leased by the Department that is not in use is 0.6%. The annual rental value is difficult to calculate. There is no retail value of the unused space.
	The Department has not undertaken a recent valuation of its real estate.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Contribution of the Minister of State for Care and Support of 4 September 2013, Official Report, column 148WH, what assessment he has made of how the work of clinical commissioning groups complies with NHS England guidelines.

Norman Lamb: NHS England is in the process of developing an assurance framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare with key stakeholders. This will be launched shortly for area teams to use in order to be assured of clinical commissioning group compliance with the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare.

Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people detained under the Mental Health Act were transferred from Northern Ireland to hospitals in England in 2012-13.

Norman Lamb: There were four patients detained under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 transferred to England during the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013. This figure has been supplied by the Mental Health Unit of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland. The figure does not include restricted patients who are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, Department of Justice.

Diseases: Northern Ireland

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive on UK-wide strategies for diabetes, obesity, heart and rare diseases.

Jane Ellison: There have been no discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on United Kingdom-wide strategies for diabetes, obesity, heart and rare diseases.

Electronic Cigarettes

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he plans to take to ensure e-liquids used in e-cigarettes are diacetyl free;
	(2)  whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to require that all batches of e-liquid for consumption in the UK are analysed by a gas chromatography mass spectrometer.

Jane Ellison: The General Product Safety Directive and associated regulations apply to e-cigarettes. No specific provisions are made in respect of diacetyl or analyses by a gas chromatography mass spectrometer.
	The revised European Tobacco Products Directive, currently being considered by the European Parliament, would require electronic cigarettes which are not licensed medicines to be regulated as consumer goods with specific requirements in relation to ingredients, including flavourings, and emissions. The draft directive requires the European Commission to develop a common notification format and technical standard. The United Kingdom Government will work with the Commission on the development of the notification and any associated testing requirements.
	Any e-cigarette licensed as a medicine would require the quality of the liquid to be controlled by a specification. The specification would refer to analytical procedures (which may include gas-chromatography mass spectrometry) to ensure that any impurities remain at a safe level throughout the shelf life of a product.

Fertility

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS England plans to update its commissioning fact sheet on fertility services.

Jane Ellison: NHS England has advised that there are no plans to update the factsheet on fertility services published in February 2013.
	The factsheet is based on the revised National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fertility guideline published also in February 2013 the factsheet will be reviewed in line with developments and updates of the NICE guideline.

Gender Recognition

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official Report, column 96W, on gender recognition, if he will make it his policy to collect data on the number of cases referred to gender identity clinics that have had funding applications refused.

Norman Lamb: There are no current plans to collect these data.

Health Services: Crawley

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the health budget in Crawley constituency was in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Daniel Poulter: Information is not available in the format requested. Information is available on the allocations for West Sussex Primary Care Trust in the years requested and is as follows:
	
		
			  £000 
			 2009-10 1,172,602 
			 2010-11 1,232,894 
			 2011-12 1,299,123 
			 2012-13 1,335,682 
		
	
	This information is published on the Government National Archives website and can be accessed via the following link:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Financeandplanning/Allocations/index.htm

Health: Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to monitor the health and wellbeing of people whose households have been flooded.

Jane Ellison: The responsibility for assessment of the health impacts of the recent flooding in England lies with Public Health England (PHE) and their partners including local Government and the national health service.
	The Department of Health and PHE worked closely with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during the re-publication of the National Flood Emergency Framework (NFEF), in collaboration with other agencies including NHS England and the Environment Agency. Published in October 2013, the NFEF describes the role of the Department, PHE and other Government Departments in relation to flooding and includes a section specifically on the health consequences of flooding. The Department, PHE and other agencies continue to work closely in co-ordinating and responding to a flood emergency.
	When alerted to the likelihood of imminent severe weather, PHE implemented its severe weather reporting protocols, which include systems for monitoring the health and wellbeing of people in the affected areas.
	Local Strategic Command Groups (Gold Command) are being supported, where appropriate, by a PHE-led Science and Technical Advice Cell (STAC) which receives local information and intelligence on potential health and wellbeing problems from a variety of sources, including primary care clinicians. In addition, all PHE Centres liaise routinely with Directors of Public Health and NHS England Area Teams to receive and respond to population health concerns.
	Flood water from rivers and land is a known risk for the common bacterial gastro-intestinal infections. Nationally, PHE carries out active surveillance for outbreaks of infectious diseases, and related illnesses (gastro-intestinal, skin, and respiratory) and is using this information on a day to day basis to monitor the health of the population in the areas affected by flooding. These data include:
	1. The statutory reporting of infectious diseases by all clinicians to PHE;
	2. The statutory reporting of all significant infectious organisms detected in laboratories to PHE; and
	3. The monitoring by PHE's Real Time Syndromic Surveillance Team (ReSST) of health provider systems, such as the GP In-Hours, Out-of-Hours and Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance Systems, and calls to NHS Direct/NHS111 services, that detect the appearance of characteristic symptoms in the population to give early warning of potential problems before these statutory disease reporting symptoms confirm the presence of a potential problem.
	PHE continues to ensure that clear guidance is being given regularly to the general public about minimising any health risk. This includes avoiding contact with flood water, hand hygiene and sanitation and the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with the use of petrol/diesel or fuel-driven generators indoors. All our experience from previous floods tells us that where people follow such health advice there are no significantly increased rates of illness.
	Departmental officials are in close contact with PHE and NHS England colleagues and I met with the chief executive of PHE and discussed this matter last week.

Heart Diseases: Sugar

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the effect of sugar consumption on heart disease.

Jane Ellison: The Government is not currently aware of evidence showing that sugar intake specifically causes heart disease. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), a committee of experts who advise the Government on nutrition .issues, is currently reviewing the evidence on sugar as part of its carbohydrates and health review. This will include evaluating the scientific literature on sugar and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Upon receipt of SACN's recommendations, the Government will consider whether its advice on carbohydrates (including sugar) requires updating.
	We continue to advise people to eat a healthy, balanced diet and that sugary foods and drinks should be eaten sparingly in order to reduce the risk of tooth decay and the overconsumption of calories.
	From the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), it is known that people in the United Kingdom are generally eating too much sugar. For some groups, such as adolescents, sugar intakes are particularly high.
	The Government provide tips to the public on reducing sugar intake and healthy eating advice through the Live Well pages on the NHS Choices website. Also we have an on-going “Smart Swaps” campaign through our flagship Change4Life, which encourages people to improve their health and wellbeing by making healthy diet changes, such as swapping sugary cereal for plain cereal or swapping sugary drinks for sugar free drinks, milk or water. We also provide guidance on reading food labels to assist consumers in making healthy choices.

Hospitals: Consultants

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2013, Official Report, column 648W, on National Clinical Excellence Awards, what proportion of NHS consultants are women; and what proportion of recipients of the awards are women.

Daniel Poulter: Clinical Excellence Awards recognise and reward national health service consultants and academic general practitioners (GPs) who perform 'over and above' the standard expected of their role. Awards are given for quality and excellence, acknowledging exceptional personal contributions. Clinical Excellence Awards is a self-nominating scheme.
	To be considered for an award consultants and academic GPs have to submit an application form in which they demonstrate achievements in developing and delivering high quality patient care, and commitment, to the continuous improvement of the NHS.
	There are 38,196 full-time equivalent consultants in the NHS (Health and Social Care Information Centre 2012 data), of which 11,840 (31%) are women. The total number of National Awards is 3,128 and of these 554 (17.7%) are held by women. The percentage of women applying for new awards in the last three years has been between 17-19%.

Hospitals: Greater London

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled on or after the day of admission in each NHS trust in London in the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: The information requested is contained within the following table. Responsibility for publishing this information transferred to NHS England on 1 April 2013.
	
		
			 Cancelled operations for non-clinical reasons, NHS organisations in London, 2008-09 to 2012-13 
			   Number of last minute cancellations for non-clinical reasons 
			 Org ID Name 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 5C5 Newham PCT — 0 2 — — 
			 R1H Barts Health NHS Trust — — — — 991 
			 RAL Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust 415 800 538 479 584 
			 RAN Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 167 143 195 163 120 
			 RAP North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 108 100 231 154 72 
		
	
	
		
			 RAS The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 114 227 161 148 151 
			 RAX Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 280 181 141 129 137 
			 RC3 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 166 62 92 112 131 
			 RF4 Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust 732 344 363 368 400 
			 RFW West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 62 73 43 45 77 
			 RG2 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust 194 — — — — 
			 RG3 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 323 — — — — 
			 RGC Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 271 331 232 223 — 
			 RGZ Queen Marys Sidcup NHS Trust 185 — — — — 
			 RJ1 Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 686 459 432 377 464 
			 RJ2 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust 200 177 150 164 203 
			 RJ6 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 188 400 321 330 270 
			 RJ7 ST George's Healthcare NHS Trust 821 340 277 302 327 
			 RJZ King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 323 187 249 316 587 
			 RKE The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 94 116 83 56 102 
			 RNH Newham University Hospital NHS Trust 76 59 73 85 — 
			 RNJ Barts and the London NHS Trust 593 475 567 501 — 
			 RP4 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust 200 176 193 224 127 
			 RP6 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 288 178 228 188 125 
			 RPY The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust 112 122 63 64 42 
			 RQM Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 167 155 91 88 83 
			 RQX Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 114 103 41 37 37 
			 RRV University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 1,042 871 720 858 907 
			 RT3 Royal Brompton Harefield NHS Foundation Trust 291 226 267 335 358 
			 RV8 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 606 56 447 477 517 
			 RVL Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 612 378 305 398 324 
			 RVR Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 394 297 243 218 271 
			 RYJ Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 758 631 642 672 710 
			 RYQ South London Healthcare NHS Trust — 899 954 1,250 1,357 
			 Notes: 1. The table above shows the organisations as they existed at the time of each collection. 2. A last minute cancellation is one that occurs on the day the patient was due to arrive, after they have arrived in hospital or on the day of their operation. 3. Some common non-clinical reasons for cancellations by the hospital include: ward beds unavailable; surgeon unavailable; emergency case needing theatre; theatre list over-ran; equipment failure; admin error; anaesthetist unavailable; theatre staff unavailable; and critical care bed unavailable. 4. An operation which is rescheduled to a time within 24 hours of the original scheduled operation should be recorded as a postponement and not as a cancellation. The QMCO collection does not record the number of postponements. Source: Department of Health dataset QMCO

Hospitals: Greater London

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many out-patient appointments were cancelled in each NHS trust in London in the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: Information on the number of out-patient appointments which were recorded as cancelled in each national health service trust in London between 2008-09 and 2012-13 has been placed in the Library.
	Not all NHS trusts have provided data submissions to outpatients hospital episode statistics for the period covered. In addition, some recording practice of cancellations shows some, variation.
	Some providers do not record any cancellations, while others have changed recording practice in the period reported.

Hospitals: Yorkshire and the Humber

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times he has made an official visit to a hospital in Yorkshire and Humber.

Daniel Poulter: The following list provides details of the official visits undertaken by the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), and his ministerial team to the Yorkshire and the Humber region since September 2012.
	Secretary of State (Mr Jeremy Hunt):
	28 January 2013: Airedale Hospital, Yorkshire
	4 July 2013: Calderdale Royal Hospital, Calderdale
	3 October 2013: Richmond House Care Home, Leeds
	18 October 2013: Harrogate Hospital, Harrogate
	Minister of State (Norman Lamb):
	20 March 2013: Castleford Care Home, Leeds
	16 October 2013: Disability Action Yorkshire, Harrogate
	7 November 2013: Botton Village Intentional Care Village, Danby
	7 November 2013: Barnsley Better Care Fund Pioneer site, Barnsley
	11 February 2014: South Leeds Independence Centre, Leeds
	Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Dr Daniel Poulter):
	1 November 2012: Airedale Hospital, Keighley
	17 January 2013: Jessop Maternity Hospital, Sheffield
	17 January 2013: Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield
	Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Jane Ellison) joined the ministerial team 7 October 2013 and has not undertaken a visit to Yorkshire and the Humber.
	The then Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Anna Soubry) who held this position until 7 October 2013 undertook the following visits:
	15 April 2013: Institute of Obesity, Rotherham
	15 April 2013: ‘Breathing Space’ for those with COPD1, Rotherham
	24 June 2013: Doncaster and Bassetlaw hospital, Doncaster
	Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Earl Howe):
	23 November 2012: Greater Huddersfield CCG2, Huddersfield
	23 November 2012: Boulevard Medical Practice, Halifax
	23 November 2012: Grange Group Medical Practice, Huddersfield
	1 COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
	2 CCG—clinical commissioning group

In Vitro Fertilisation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has (a) taken and (b) plans to take in the next 12 months against IVF clinics which have destroyed embryos in error without patient consent; how many incidences of such destruction of embryos have occurred in each of the last five years; what action was taken under section 17(1)(c) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: The regulation of in vitro fertilisation clinics in the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended. The HFEA requires staff at licensed fertility clinics to report adverse incidents and near misses that happen at their clinic. The HFEA then investigates the causes and ensures the clinic involved puts measures in place to prevent the same error happening again.
	We have asked the HFEA to write to the hon. Member to provide details on the number incidences of embryos destroyed in error without patient consent, in each of the last five years. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Medical Records: Data Protection

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many errors in handling patient data resulting in breaches of confidentiality took place in the NHS in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Daniel Poulter: This information is not collected centrally.
	We have no evidence that there are widespread failings in data handling that would warrant the burden of a new data collection. Errors in data handling might include wrongly addressed e-mails, conversations in public spaces and other errors which need to be managed locally.
	Responsibility for handling data securely and confidentially rests with individual local organisations. If a patient has any concerns over how errors to medical records are handled or finds they are the subject of a confidentiality breach they should report it as soon as possible to the organisation concerned through their complaints procedure process. In extreme cases incidents should be reported to the Information Commissioner.

Medical Records: Data Protection

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether information on the treatment and diagnosis of sensitive health conditions will be excluded from the care.data extraction of patient data.

Daniel Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information Centre will exclude from the care.data extraction any clinical data entries that contain “sensitive” codes as defined in the current sensitive data standard published by the Independent Standards Board. Work is also under way to consult bodies such as the Royal Colleges, British Medical Association and patient groups to update the current standard and to ensure that any new codes created since the publication of the existing standard are identified and included.

Medical Records: Data Protection

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures his Department has to audit the usage and security of patient data disclosed to third parties by the Health and Social Care Information Centre; whether any audits have been carried out on such usage; and whether any confidentiality breaches have taken place in the last two years.

Daniel Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) is responsible for ensuring that it does not disclose information to bodies that do not have secure data handling procedures. The HSCIC requires all bodies requesting information to meet published information security standards and to sign an agreement that enables the HSCIC to conduct audits where stronger assurance is desirable. Prior to the creation of the current HSCIC an audit of the Public Health Observatories, now part of Public Health England, was conducted in 2010. There have been no recorded confidentiality breaches by any recipient of data from the HSCIC or its predecessor over the past two years.

Mental Health Services

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of how much the NHS spent on mindfulness-based treatments in each of the last five years.

Norman Lamb: No such estimate has been made. We do not hold data on spend across the country on mindfulness treatments centrally.

Mental Health Services

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the number of people who would benefit from mindfulness-based therapies approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); and how many people were being treated by mindfulness-based therapies approved by NICE in the latest period for which figures are available.

Norman Lamb: No such assessment has been made. We do not collect the requested information centrally.

Mental Health Services: Greater London

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health staff were employed by the NHS in each NHS trust in London in the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Mental Health Services: Prisons

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the number of women with mental health problems in the prison system.

Norman Lamb: The Government is testing liaison and diversion services in England, to identify and assess the health issues and vulnerabilities of all offenders, including women, when they enter the criminal justice system.
	Liaison and diversion services in police stations and courts will mean that people with mental health illnesses, learning disabilities and substance misuse problems receive the treatment they need at the earliest possible stage. The Government has recently announced 10 plot areas at a total cost of £25 million with a plan to roll these services out across England by 2017 subject to the full business case.
	Liaison and diversion assessments will be available to magistrates and judges to consider when sentencing offenders, and will help to ensure that offenders receive the most appropriate treatment as soon as possible. This could include treatment outside of prison, subject to the sentencing court's discretion.
	NHS England will be commissioning liaison and diversion services against a service specification that requires service providers to demonstrate that they are responding appropriately to meet the range of women's health needs.

NHS: Awards

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2013, Official Report, column 648W, on National Clinical Excellence Awards, what consideration he has given to offering awards to those performing clinical roles other than that of consultant in medical teams.

Daniel Poulter: Clinical Excellence Awards recognise and reward national health service consultants and academic general practitioners who perform 'over and above' the standard expected of their role. Awards are given for quality and excellence, acknowledging exceptional personal contributions.
	Offering awards to those performing clinical roles other than NHS consultants was among many possibilities considered by the United Kingdom wide review of the schemes by the independent Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' remuneration. This report, Review of compensation levels, incentives and the Clinical Excellence and Distinction Award schemes for NHS Consultants was laid in Parliament on 17 December 2012 (CM.8518).

Pay

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many civil servants are on each pay grade in (a) his Department and (b) agencies and public bodies accountable to him.

Daniel Poulter: Information about the number of civil servants in each pay grade is published routinely as part of the Department of Health's Monthly Workforce Data. The latest published information, as at 31 December 2013, is available at:
	www.gov.uk/government/publications/dh-workforce-information-2013
	The relevant data for the Department and its Executive agencies has been extracted in the following table.
	The Department's non-departmental public bodies do not employ civil servants.
	
		
			 Number of civil servants employed by pay grade in the Department of Health and its Executive agencies as at 31 December 2013 
			 Headcount 
			 Pay grade Department of Health Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Public Health England 
			 Administrative Assistant/Administrative Officer 113 107 907 
			 Executive Officer 299 199 703 
			 Higher Executive Officer/Senior Executive Office 681 456 1,816 
			 Grade 6 and 7 647 322 1,186 
		
	
	
		
			 Senior Civil Servant 172 151 505 
			 Other 0 0 261 
			 Note: The figures are based on standard Office for National Statistics headcount methodology for counting civil servants. Source: DH Monthly Workforce Data 31 December 2013.

Sugar

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which medical conditions and diseases are adversely affected by an above-average consumption of sugar.

Jane Ellison: Excessive sugar consumption increases the risk of tooth decay, contributes to calorie intake, and the resulting raised blood sugar may be particularly of concern for people with diabetes.
	The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition are reviewing carbohydrates. The review will assess the evidence on sugar and subsequently provide up to date advice on sugar consumption and its impact on health outcomes.
	We continue to advise people to eat a healthy, balanced diet and that sugary foods and drinks should be consumed sparingly in order to reduce the above mentioned risks.

Transplant Surgery: Bone Marrow Disorders

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  at which English hospitals long-term follow-up care of bone marrow transplant recipients normally resident in Wales has taken place; and how many such bone marrow transplant recipients were treated at each such hospital in the last five years;
	(2)  how many individual funding requests have been (a) made and (b) granted allowing a bone marrow transplant recipient normally resident in Wales to receive long-term follow-up care in an English hospital once they reach 100 days after their transplant; and what the total amount of such requests (i) made and (ii) granted was in the last five years.

Jane Ellison: This information is not held centrally.

Transplant Surgery: Bone Marrow Disorders

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people normally resident in Wales have undergone a bone marrow transplant at an English hospital.

Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following table.
	
		
			 Count of finished consultant episodes1 with a main or secondary procedure2 of a bone marrow transplant3, for patients resident in Wales4 but undergone a procedure in English NHS hospitals, 2008-09 to 2012-135 
			 Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			  Count of FCEs 
			 2008-09 10 
			 2009-10 17 
			 2010-11 12 
			 2011-12 7 
			 2012-13 12 
			 1Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end; Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. 2Number of episodes with a main or secondary procedure The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. Note that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under going a 'cataract operation' would tend to have at least two procedures-removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one-counted in a single episode. 3OPCS codes for bone marrow transplant W34.1 Autograft of bone marrow W34.2 Allograft of bone marrow NEC W34.3 Allograft of bone marrow from sibling donor W34.4 Allograft of bone marrow from matched unrelated donor W34.5 Allograft of bone marrow from haploidentical donor W34.8 Other specified graft of bone marrow W34.9 Unspecified graft of bone marrow W34.6 Allograft of bone marrow from unmatched unrelated donor 4SHA/PCT of residence The strategic health authority (SHA) or primary care trust (PCT) containing the patient's normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another SHA/PCT for treatment. A change in methodology in 2011-12 resulted in an increase in the number of records where the PCT or SHA of residence was unknown. From 2006-07 to 2010-11 the current PCT and SHA of residence fields were populated from the recorded patient postcode. In order to improve data completeness, if the postcode was unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence were populated from the PCT/SHA value supplied by the provider. From April 2011-12 onwards if the patient postcode is unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence are listed as unknown. 5Assessing growth through time (Inpatients) HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Transplant Surgery: Bone Marrow Disorders

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the five-year survival rate of people who have received a bone marrow transplant.

Jane Ellison: NHS England has advised that the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation reported in 2013 that for all patients treated in United Kingdom centres, five year survival of patients who have received a bone marrow transplant between 2005 and 2010 was 55% for adults and 64% in children.
	Note:
	This survival data may include deaths that are unrelated to the bone marrow transplant.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Colombia

Jim Shannon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the outcomes were of his recent official visit to Colombia.

Nicholas Clegg: Supported by Lord Livingston, I led a diverse business delegation to Colombia. I met President Santos and a number of other Ministers from the Colombian Government, as well as groups from civil society and business, to take forward a range of government objectives, including setting a target for bilateral trade and investment of £4 billion by 2020; continued co-operation on tackling organised crime and drugs; and the post-2015 international development framework. I also pursued objectives on environment, science and innovation, and education with relevant Ministers. In addition, I discussed the UK's continued support for the Colombian peace process and efforts to tackle human rights abuses with the President, representatives of victims of the conflict, and NGOs working on human rights issues.

Electoral Register

David Blunkett: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 4 February 2014, Official Report, column 79W, on electoral register, when applicants for the Rock Enrol initiative in schools who submitted proposals by the deadline of August 2013 will be told whether they have been awarded funding.

Greg Clark: All applicants to the Rock Enrol! initiative have been informed of the outcome of the process.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the office space owned or leased by her Department is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if she will place in the Library a copy of her most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Alan Duncan: DFID has two HQ buildings in the UK. Both buildings are fully utilised.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what part the UK will play in international scrutiny of the anti-corruption pact in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lynne Featherstone: The UK facilitated a seminar to draft an anti-corruption pact between the public, private and third sectors in December 2012. This Pact was finalised over the course of the following year, with the official signing and launch on 9 December 2013 to coincide with International Anti-Corruption Day. The Pact commits the parties to refrain from corruption, instil ethical values in their organisations, and adhere to the principles of integrity, good governance, respect and transparency. Support for subsequent anti-corruption measures will be provided through DFID DRC's Private Sector Development Programme.

Syria

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department has provided for children's health and education in Syria since the beginning of unrest in that country.

Justine Greening: The UK is providing £241 million to support vulnerable people within Syria. This includes £12.8 million to UNICEF for neonatal care for 5,000 displaced infants and medical kits for 1.2 million displaced adults and children; £10.7 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) enabling them to provide community services and education for 28,000 displaced persons including children and £8 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for life-saving medicines to meet the needs of over 900,000 conflict-affected people, including children.
	The UK has committed £30 million to the No Lost Generation Initiative to provide protection, trauma care and education for children affected by the crisis across the region, including Syria.

DEFENCE

Air Force: Redundancy

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department undertook an analysis of its human resources needs before taking the recent decision to make redundancies among medical and dental staff from the RAF.

Andrew Murrison: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry), on 6 February 2014, Official Report, column 349W.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on armed forces recruitment post-2014;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the potential implications of Scottish independence on recruitment to the armed forces.

Andrew Murrison: The UK Government is confident that the Scottish people will vote to remain part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, the Government is not planning for Scottish independence. I have had no discussions with the Scottish Government on armed forces recruitment in the event of Scottish independence. Neither have I made an assessment of the potential implications of possible Scottish independence for recruitment to the armed forces.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of Royal Navy officers are recruited from (a) Scotland, (b) England and Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.

Anna Soubry: The Royal Navy recruits officers mainly through seven regionally located Officer Careers Liaison Centres in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Peterborough and Plymouth in England; Rosyth in Scotland; and Belfast in Northern Ireland. The numbers shown in the following table relate to entrants processed through these offices only. They do not reflect the region the recruit originates from.
	In addition, a number of officer candidates are processed centrally through the Admiralty Interview Board, for example those on bursaries and sponsorship schemes; specialists, for example medical officers; and inter-service transfers.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Royal Navy officers Royal Marine officers 
			 Scotland 6.7 4.6 
			 England and Wales 70.6 89.7 
			 Northern Ireland 1.0 1.5 
			 Centrally recruited 21.8 4.1 
		
	
	These figures are for the period April 2010 to January 2014 and are regular service entrants only; they exclude commissions from the ranks.

Armed Forces: Vehicles

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many vehicle urgent operational requirements of each type have been (a) ordered and (b) delivered to Headquarters Land Forces since 2006.

Andrew Murrison: Since 2006, the following vehicle urgent operational requirements by type have been ordered and delivered to the British armed forces:
	
		
			 Vehicle type Quantity 
			 Cougar 30 
			 Jackal 502 
			 Coyote 76 
			 Mastiff 450 
			 Ridgback 171 
			 Wolfhound 125 
			 Husky 338 
			 Warthog 115 
			 Springer 78 
			 Ultra-lightweight Tractor(Protected) 27 
			 Light Weight Tractor (Protected) 25 
			 Medium Weight Tractor (Protected) 25 
		
	
	
		
			 Self Loading Dump Truck (Protected) 24 
			 Quad Bikes and Trailers 513 
			 Enhanced Palletised Loading Systems 56 
			 High Mobility Earth Excavator 17 
			 Buffalo 19 
			 Bushmaster 24 
			 Citizen 14 
			 Teller 18

Buildings

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the office space owned or leased by his Department is not in regular use; what the total (a) rental and (b) retail value is of all such unused office space; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his most recent departmental real estate valuation.

Andrew Murrison: Departmental office space is regularly used. Where any excess office space is identified it is disposed of or is subject to lease termination.
	The value of the estate is published in the Ministry of Defence's Annual Report and Accounts within the Statement of Financial Position-Property, Plant and Equipment category. The most recent published report is for financial year 2012-13, this is available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-annual-report-and-accounts-201213

European Defence Agency

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 3 February 2014, Official Report, column 14, on European Defence Agency, what types of expenditure by the agency fall into (a) its operational budget and (b) its functional budget; what the purpose is of the agency's functional expenditure; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Murrison: The European Defence Agency budget's operational element is used to fund operational projects and studies. The functional element funds the agency personnel and general running costs, such as facilities and travel.

Nuclear Submarines

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to paragraph 37 of his Department's Safety and Environmental Protection Assurance Report 2012-13, what the life-limiting features that cannot be mitigated through life extension programmes are for existing nuclear-powered submarines.

Philip Dunne: The life-limiting features referred to in the Ministry of Defence's Safety and Environmental Protection Assurance Report 2012-13 are those components of the nuclear reactor plant whose replacement is not considered to be a financially or technically viable option. While existing life extension programmes provide some refurbishment and maintenance of these components, the length of time they can safely be operated will ultimately determine the limits on the life of the reactor plant.
	This issue is common to both defence and civil reactor plant and equipment, and the Office for Nuclear Regulation has recognised the safe management of ageing plant as a key issue for industry to manage.
	Information on reactor plant design is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

Protection of Military Remains Act 1986

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish details of the location and contents of all the controlled sites and protected place sites designated and administered by his Department under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

Andrew Murrison: The requested information is published in Statutory Instrument 2012 No. 1110 which is available online at the following address:
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1110/made

Riot Control Weapons

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report entitled The medical implications of vehicle-mounted water cannon with special reference to the Ziegler Wasserwerfer 9000 (WaWe 9) system, published by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in 2013.

Andrew Murrison: holding answer 10 February 2014
	The work referred to was conducted on behalf of the independent non-departmental public body SACMILL (The Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons) in order to inform a medical statement which will form part of the package of documents inviting the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), to make a decision to authorise the use of water cannon by the police in England and Wales. A decision on its release is a matter for the Home Office.

Veterans: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what due diligence and accurate detailed correlation exists between civilian clinical practitioners' notes and his Department's individual service records when conducting treatment or diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans.

Andrew Murrison: When an individual joins the armed forces they are registered with the Defence Medical Services (DMS) and a new DMS medical record is created. Their NHS medical record from before this period is 'frozen' and held by the NHS in a central location. The NHS record is held until the individual registers with an NHS general practitioner on leaving service. At this point the NHS medical record is posted to the new GP. The service leaver is provided with a summary of their DMS medical record (FMed 133) to give to their new NHS GP. The FMed 133 also includes instructions on how the NHS GP can request their full DMS medical record.
	In some cases, an individual may not hand over their FMed 133 to their new NHS GP, or make clear that they are a veteran. Since December 2013, therefore, on registration with an NHS GP, the individual's previous NHS record is sent to the GP with a letter included in it. This letter informs the NHS GP that the patient has been under the care of the DMS. It also gives details of how the GP can obtain the individual's full DMS medical record from the MOD, if they deem it necessary.
	Over the next 12 months, work will continue to develop the systems further to allow for a summary of in-service care to be included with the NHS record when it is sent to the NHS GP. It is anticipated that this will be (or will be similar to) the FMed 133. This will ensure that the NHS GP will know that they are dealing with a veteran and will automatically give them a summary of their military medical record. The NHS GP will also know how they can get a copy of the full DMS medical history if they decide that they require it.
	Review of the original NHS and DMS medical records to identify the diagnoses made and treatment regimes recommended are a matter for the new NHS GP.